13/02/2006

Talks to resolve postal strike move to London

After almost two weeks of an unofficial postal strike in Belfast, talks to try to resolve the dispute are now being moved to London.

This follows a failed attempt to hold face-to-face talks between Royal Mail and the Workers Union yesterday, after management refused to attend due to the presence of CWU representatives.

However, Royal Mail has today said that they will make an offer to the national CWU in London in a bid to resolve the matter.

Over 200 postal workers at Belfast's Tomb Street depot went on an unofficial strike on January 31, due to disputes over disciplinary action and alleged cases of bullying.

Royal Mail has subsequently denied these claims.

Since the strike began, the postal service in parts of Belfast has been badly disrupted, with homes and businesses in the north, south and west of the city receiving no mail throughout this time.

However, the east of the city has remained unaffected.

The strike is now beginning to have a knock-on effect right across the province, with almost half of Belfast City Hospital's outpatients failing to show up, as letters for appointments have not arrived.

Last week, around 50 managers from across Britain were drafted in to Belfast to carry out postal deliveries to try to clear some of the backlog from the previous days, but this is still not enough.

An attempt to widen the strike to Londonderry failed because of a lack of support for the Belfast workers.

Royal Mail has set up a special helpline for customers needing more information or advice. The number is 08457 740740.

(EF/SP)

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