Wildcat post strikes amid staff claims of bullying

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Hundreds of postmen and women walked out in east London, at the giant sorting office in Nine Elms, and in Liverpool. It was a repeat of wildcat stoppages across the country yesterday which broke out hours after the end of an official 48-hour strike.

Communication Workers Union sources said the unofficial walkouts were a direct result of "bullying" tactics by Royal Mail management.

They said when staff reported for duty at 5am they were told the start of shifts had been changed, without prior consultation, to 6am.

A Royal Mail spokesman said 30 delivery offices in London and Liverpool remained closed because of unofficial action, but stressed that the "vast majority" were working normally. There were fears the wildcat action could spread.

Talks between the union and Royal Mail have resumed. They are near agreement on pay and pensions but working conditions are a sticking point.

Postal deliveries continued today but there is a huge backlog. The CWU has ordered a further series of 24-hour strikes from Monday.

Four out of 10 businesses in London are seeking alternative arrangements and some small firms will be driven under by the action, it was claimed today.

"We will hear of people going bust because they couldn't get their cheques and then the general public will say enough is enough," said Guy Buswell, chief executive of the Business Post Group, one of Royal Mail's competitors.