More than 100 postal staff in Abingdon will be balloted over possible strike action within the next week - after a sacked colleague failed to win his bid to be re-instated.

Kevin Tunstall was dismissed in March after a dispute over the non-delivery of a test letter. His sacking so incensed some residents on his rounds that they started a petition calling for him to be re-instated.

Union leaders were reasonably confident that he would win his appeal against the dismissal but he has been told the decision has gone against him. He now intends to take the matter to an industrial tribunal.

Meanwhile, his former colleagues - some of whom have already taken part in an unofficial 24-hour strike in support of Mr Tunstall - are ready to be balloted over industrial action and sources suggest the result will be in favour of some form of protest.

A Communication Workers' Union spokesman, based in Oxford, who did not want to be named, said: "They will be balloted very shortly.

"We are waiting for the ballot papers to be issued. We have to make sure the wording is correct. By the end of this week, or start of next week, things should be kicking off." He added that a vote in favour of industrial action was likely, but stressed that didn't necessarily mean strike action. Working to rule would be one of many forms of action that could be taken. The spokesman said: "Feelings are running high."

All the staff at Abingdon are members of the CWU, although their 24-hour strike action on March 27 was taken without official union backing.

The Royal Mail was surprised to hear about a ballot being prepared and insisted things were as normal.

Spokesman Paula Elwood said: "We have not been notified of any ballot. As long as we don't hear anything, it is good news and business as usual.

"The first we would know is when a ballot is taking place."

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