MP warns on postal strike
A Shropshire MP today warned a national postal strike would be catastrophic for both customers and Royal Mail workers as last-ditch talks aimed at preventing this week's crippling action got under way. A Shropshire MP today warned a national postal strike would be catastrophic for both customers and Royal Mail workers as last-ditch talks aimed at preventing this week's crippling action got under way. Owen Paterson, MP for North Shropshire and former secretary of the all-party group on sub post offices, said the planned walkout on Thursday would cause horrendous problems for busines-ses and individuals across the country. About 1,100 workers from across Shropshire and Mid Wales are set to take part in the strike action. And the MP, whose constituency area includes the Oswestry sorting office, said it could also lead to customers turning to alternative providers such as couriers and express delivery services in the future. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Owen Paterson, MP for North Shropshire and former secretary of the all-party group on sub post offices, said the planned walkout on Thursday would cause horrendous problems for busines-ses and individuals across the country.
About 1,100 workers from across Shropshire and Mid Wales are set to take part in the strike action.
And the MP, whose constituency area includes the Oswestry sorting office, said it could also lead to customers turning to alternative providers such as couriers and express delivery services in the future.
His comments came as a Royal Mail boss said that a 30,000-strong recruitment blitz was not designed to "break" a union.
Operations director Paul Tolhurst said the temporary workers - about twice the normal amount taken on this time of year - were needed to "keep the mail moving" and avoid a big backlog building up.
He said he "hoped there was hope" that the strikes on Thursday and Friday could be avoided, but said the company was gearing up for industrial action.
Royal Mail bosses are to meet the Communication Workers Union at an undisclosed location later in a bid to break the deadlock.
Mr Paterson said: "Any strike will be very damaging to the postal service because people will find alternatives and inevitably learn about new forms of communication.
"A strike would also cause great inconvenience to constituents and I hope it doesn't happen."
Relations between the two sides became increasingly fractious when the company announced plans to hire temporary staff. Union leaders are considering a legal challenge.
Meanwhile TNT, one of the Royal Mail's biggest competitors, says it wants powers to put its own postmen on the streets and offer a door-to-door service.
