Tens of thousands of postal workers today “solidly supported” a fresh strike, crippling mail deliveries across the UK in the latest wave of walkouts to hit the Royal Mail.

And there is no end in sight to the dispute after union leaders announced a fresh wave of strikes for next week. The Communication Workers Union last night served notice of a third wave of walkouts.

They are planned across the country for next Friday and Monday, November 9.

About 77,000 delivery and collection staff walked out across the country today, the last of three days of stoppages this week.

Nearly 700 staff from 26 delivery centres in Shropshire including Oswestry, Welshpool and Ludlow took part in the 24-hour walkout, which started at 4am today.

Deal

Pete Kelly, area delivery representative for the Shropshire and Mid Wales branch of the CWU, said workers were still hopeful that a deal could be struck.

He said: “They are still talking and there is every hope the dispute can be resolved as quickly as possible. Workers are determined to see a proper resolution by negotiation so we can modernise the industry and move forward.”

Mediators said both sides would this weekend be considering a series of proposals designed to end the “high pressure dispute”, which is over jobs, pay and modernisation.

If no breakthrough is found, up to 120,000 CWU members will walk out from 3am on both days next week.

Earlier, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber, who has chaired the talks between Royal Mail managers and the CWU, said more work was needed to “finalise the terms of a possible settlement”.

He said it was a “difficult and complex dispute”.

By Russell Roberts