Postal staff claim 'public support'

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said a poll it commissioned of 1,000 adults showed that more than two thirds backed its campaign over pay and conditions. The union said it was heartened by the findings which it claimed had been backed up by members of the public offering support to striking workers on picket lines.

Up to 130,000 members of the union walked out at noon on Thursday for 48 hours and will stage another two-day walkout from 3am on Monday, which will hit deliveries until the end of next week. The Royal Mail said that official payroll figures showed the support for the strike was weakening, with 50% more people working than during previous national strike days.

"Attendance at sites across the country varied hugely with up to 90% of our people working as normal in some offices and with around 35,000 people coming to work as usual during the first 24-hour period of action.

"This is around a third of the people due to be at work. We expect this level to rise over the next few days. The high level of attendance means that we are continuing to process mail and that deliveries are taking place across the country, albeit at reduced levels," said a spokesman.

The union disputed the claim and said support for the strike was "solid." Talks were continuing between the two sides despite the industrial action and the union said it was "hopeful" of making progress. The talks will continue over the weekend if necessary and the union's executive was on standby to receive a report from CWU negotiators.

CWU general secretary Billy Hayes repeated his attack on the Government, saying it had shown "complete disinterest" in the dispute and that: "If this was Northern Rock they would be pouring money in. This is a company that they own and they seem to have no interest whatsoever. There is no indication of their concern in the slightest. The Government have been deafening by their silence."

Meanwhile the Royal Mail announced it had agreed a deal with 12,000 of its managers on pay, modernisation and pension reform, including a 2.5% wage rise backdated to April. The agreement also includes reforming the pension arrangements, according to Royal Mail.

A spokesman said it was an "excellent deal" for Royal Mail managers, adding: "It provides a 2.5% basic pay rise this year - which does not exceed what the company can afford - while recognising the positive role that managers will play in the modernisation of Royal Mail essential to enable the company to compete in a market open to full competition."

A rolling programme of strikes will start on October 15 and will continue every week until the dispute is resolved.