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| Post workers start 48-hour strike | Post workers start 48-hour strike |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Royal Mail workers have started the first of two 48-hour walkouts in a protest over pay and fears of job cuts. | Royal Mail workers have started the first of two 48-hour walkouts in a protest over pay and fears of job cuts. |
| After last-minute talks between Royal Mail managers and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) failed to reach a deal, the strike started at noon. | After last-minute talks between Royal Mail managers and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) failed to reach a deal, the strike started at noon. |
| A second two-day strike by the CWU's 130,000 members is scheduled to begin at 0300 BST on Monday, 8 October. | A second two-day strike by the CWU's 130,000 members is scheduled to begin at 0300 BST on Monday, 8 October. |
| Customers have been warned that the strikes mean there will be no deliveries until next Thursday. | Customers have been warned that the strikes mean there will be no deliveries until next Thursday. |
| It is estimated that the two walkouts will cost industry millions of pounds. | It is estimated that the two walkouts will cost industry millions of pounds. |
| 'Vital reforms' | 'Vital reforms' |
| At the centre of the dispute is the CWU's objection to the Royal Mail's 2.5% pay offer and modernisation plans, which it says will put about 40,000 jobs at risk. | At the centre of the dispute is the CWU's objection to the Royal Mail's 2.5% pay offer and modernisation plans, which it says will put about 40,000 jobs at risk. |
| It is hugely disappointing to watch a great British institution tear itself apart Postwatch chairwoman Millie Banerjee Behind the picket line Who benefits from a postal strike? | It is hugely disappointing to watch a great British institution tear itself apart Postwatch chairwoman Millie Banerjee Behind the picket line Who benefits from a postal strike? |
| Royal Mail says that dramatic reform is needed to survive in a liberalised mail market. | Royal Mail says that dramatic reform is needed to survive in a liberalised mail market. |
| It is worried that the strike will lead to a further loss of business and increase financial losses. | It is worried that the strike will lead to a further loss of business and increase financial losses. |
| "We continue to urge the CWU to work with us to modernise the business and to help secure a successful future for the company and its people." the Royal Mail said on Wednesday morning. | |
| Alan Duncan, shadow secretary of state for business enterprise and regulatory reform said: "This is primarily about modernisation," adding that workers needed to agree to accept plans for automation and flexibility. | |
| He warned: "If they don't, they're simply not going to survive in the competition" | He warned: "If they don't, they're simply not going to survive in the competition" |
| Business impact | Business impact |
| Businesses have voiced concerned about the impact the strike will have on serving customers. | Businesses have voiced concerned about the impact the strike will have on serving customers. |
| Bruce Henderson, a partner in a motocycle repair firm in Brighton told the BBC that key workers including nurses and police officers relied on the firm for repair services. | Bruce Henderson, a partner in a motocycle repair firm in Brighton told the BBC that key workers including nurses and police officers relied on the firm for repair services. |
| "They are not going to get their bikes back until at least mid to late next week." | "They are not going to get their bikes back until at least mid to late next week." |
| He added that using couriers would significantly increase bills for customers. | He added that using couriers would significantly increase bills for customers. |
| Delayed post | Delayed post |
| After Monday's strike, the CWU plans to stage a programme of rolling strikes each Monday until the dispute is resolved. | After Monday's strike, the CWU plans to stage a programme of rolling strikes each Monday until the dispute is resolved. |
| Each CWU member has been asked to walk-out from the start of their shift. | Each CWU member has been asked to walk-out from the start of their shift. |
| The union's deputy general secretary, Dave Ward, said the strikes were "a proportionate response to an employer that is completely out of control," after five weeks of negotiations. | The union's deputy general secretary, Dave Ward, said the strikes were "a proportionate response to an employer that is completely out of control," after five weeks of negotiations. |
| Royal Mail has decided to start imposing changes on workers' conditions without union agreement from next week. | Royal Mail has decided to start imposing changes on workers' conditions without union agreement from next week. |
| The Royal Mail spokesman has asked customers to avoid posting mail during the strikes to avoid a backlog, but if they do, to post mail at Post Office branches, which will remain open as usual. | The Royal Mail spokesman has asked customers to avoid posting mail during the strikes to avoid a backlog, but if they do, to post mail at Post Office branches, which will remain open as usual. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I hope that this is resolved quickly and fairly and that the postal system can return to normal Joram Lee, UK Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY I hope that this is resolved quickly and fairly and that the postal system can return to normal Joram Lee, UK Send us your comments |
| David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, told the BBC that the strike could not have come at a worse time for UK firms fearful of a possible global economic slowdown. | David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, told the BBC that the strike could not have come at a worse time for UK firms fearful of a possible global economic slowdown. |