Pickets signal start of post strike (From Oxford Mail)

Pickets signal start of post strike

8:55am Friday 1st September 2006 in News

Households and businesses in West Oxfordshire were without mail yesterday as postmen in Witney and Carterton began a three-day strike.

As pickets appeared at delivery offices, union officials warned that the official industrial action, over claims of harassment and bullying by management, could mean post being delivered up to a week late.

Some customers feared longer delays.

Workers at the two depots took wildcat strike action at the start of July and some residents told the Oxford Mail that their postal service had only just got back to normal before the latest walkout.

Roger Walker, of Long Hanborough, said: "We've received post only sporadically since the last strike, and that's very unusual for us, so this is going to affect things even more.

"It's an inconvenience, because we don't know if things haven't been sent, if they're lost, or if they're just stuck in a pile somewhere - but at least it's official action this time."

The Oxford branch of the Communication Workers' Union said nine members of staff were off work with stress due to the alleged problems and workers were angry that the issues had not been addressed.

Royal Mail said managers were being drafted in to carry out as many deliveries as possible.