Thousands of postal workers in London will go on strike next Friday in a row over jobs and services, the CWU union has announced.

A statement posted on the union’s website claims the strike action was being taken after Royal Mail’s refusal to negotiate change and “arbitrary” cuts which CWU claims will damage services.

“Following the 2007 postal dispute, an agreement was struck that ensured both the company and the union worked together to improve efficiency. This agreement has ensured that the company has built steady profits,” the statement reads.

“The last part of that agreement is to agree modernisation of the business. Royal Mail are now ignoring that element of the agreement and implementing arbitrary cuts in costs without modernising.”

Commenting on the strike action, CWU deputy secretary Dave Ward said the Royal Mail was “blocking modernisation” by refusing to negotiate with the union.

He added the CWU had offered to suspend all strike action if the Royal Mail halted executive action and entered into negotiations.

“We want to bring forward the successful transformation of the business by working together. They need to honour the 2007 national agreement and work with us to achieve that,” Mr Ward said.

“There is growing unrest across the country as Royal Mail tries to impose damaging cuts and changes without the input of union reps. The future of the business must be safeguarded through careful planning, not shooting from the hip.

“Postal workers deliver a first class service but the current cuts and attitude of management threatens that and worsens services. Royal Mail can avert this strike action by pulling back from arbitrary cuts and negotiating modernisation with the CWU.”

More than 10,000 postal workers across London will take industrial action for 24 hours starting from the early shift on Friday June 19th.

Today’s statement ends with the warning that further strike action could be announced if no progress in negotiations is made.