Post strikes go ahead as planned

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Nationwide postal strikes will go ahead as planned this week, the union said.

Strikes will begin from 0400 GMT on Thursday, when 120,000 postal workers will walk out for three 24-hour strikes.

Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union have been talking for three days to try to end the dispute.

The union executive didn't even consider calling off the strikes, according to BBC employment correspondent Martin Shankleman.

There is one slight glimmer of hope, our correspondent said, as the union says it is continuing a dialogue by telephone.

Royal Mail, which has yet to be notified of the developments, said its negotiators were still at the TUC and were keen to talk.