Postal strikes 'set to go ahead'

Version 10 of 17.

Nationwide postal strikes are set to go ahead as planned this week, the union has said.

Strikes are due to begin at 0400 GMT on Thursday, when 120,000 workers will be involved in three 24-hour strikes.

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

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

Royal Mail said its negotiators were still at the TUC - where negotiations were held earlier in the day - and were keen to talk.