Strike vote begins for post workers

Postal workers will start voting this week on whether to take strike action in a row over working practices.

Around 1,000 members of the Communication Workers Union at a number of distribution centres are being balloted.

Postal services across the country could be disrupted if the workers vote to go on strike.

The union's assistant secretary Terry Pullinger accused the Royal Mail of "sheer bloody mindedness" by imposing changes to working practices.

"The situation represents an outbreak of anger and frustration towards an employer who is using the challenges that our industry faces to avoid meaningful negotiations or consultation with the recognised trade union, and in doing so is failing to take on board the views and concerns of its employees.

"Royal Mail needs to recognise that an approach to the future that promotes distrust, suspicion and a lack of mutual respect is not one that will generate long-term business success and good employee morale."

Workers to be balloted are based at distribution centres in Essex, London and Nottingham.