Postal workers are set to launch their next series of UK-wide strikes, which it is feared could disrupt deliveries into the middle of next week.
Postal workers are set to launch a fresh series of UK-wide strikes, which could disrupt deliveries into the middle of next week.
The Royal Mail is holding last minute talks with the Communication Workers Union (CWU), but without a breakthrough a 48-hour walkout will start from noon.
The Royal Mail is holding last-minute talks with the Communication Workers Union (CWU), but without a breakthrough a 48-hour walkout will start from noon.
A second two-day strike by the 130,000 CWU members is timetabled to begin from 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.
The industrial action is over pay and union fears of job cuts.
The industrial action is over pay and union fears of job cuts.
It is hugely disappointing to watch a great British institution tear itself apart Millie Banerjee, Postwatch
It is hugely disappointing to watch a great British institution tear itself apart Millie Banerjee, Postwatch
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.
Royal Mail says that, without dramatic reform, it will not be able to survive in a liberalised mail market.
Royal Mail says that, without dramatic reform, it will not be able to survive in a liberalised mail market.
It is concerned that the strike will lead to a further loss of business and add to its financial losses.
It is concerned that the strike will lead to a further loss of business and add to its 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 in the competitive market in which we now operate," Royal Mail said.
"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 in the competitive market in which we now operate," Royal Mail said.
'Proportionate response'
'Proportionate response'
After Monday's strike, the CWU says it will then stage a programme of rolling strikes each Monday until the dispute is resolved.
After Monday's strike, the CWU says it will then stage a programme of rolling strikes each Monday until the dispute is resolved.
The union's deputy general secretary, Dave Ward, said the strikes were "a proportionate response to an employer that is completely out of control".
The union's deputy general secretary, Dave Ward, said the strikes were "a proportionate response to an employer that is completely out of control".
"Despite five weeks of negotiations, Royal Mail have failed to take on board the union's message that, in order for the business to succeed, Royal Mail need to invest in their workforce," he added.
"Despite five weeks of negotiations, Royal Mail have failed to take on board the union's message that, in order for the business to succeed, Royal Mail need to invest in their workforce," he added.
We would ask our customers to avoid posting mail during the strikes and, if they do so, then to post any mail at Post Office branches Royal Mail
We would ask our customers to avoid posting mail during the strikes and, if they do so, then to post any mail at Post Office branches Royal Mail
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 firm is asking the public not to post letters to stop log jams building up in the system.
The firm is asking the public not to post letters to stop logjams building up in the system.
A Royal Mail spokesman said: "We will do all we can to mitigate the impact of the strike action.
A Royal Mail spokesman said: "We will do all we can to mitigate the impact of the strike action.
"But we would ask our customers to avoid posting mail during the strikes and, if they do so, then to post any mail at Post Office branches, which will all be open for business as usual."
"But we would ask our customers to avoid posting mail during the strikes and, if they do so, then to post any mail at Post Office branches, which will all be open for business as usual."
He added: "Royal Mail has consistently sought a resolution to this dispute and we have been in talks with the CWU since last March.
He added: "Royal Mail has consistently sought a resolution to this dispute and we have been in talks with the CWU since last March.
"We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience that CWU strike action causes."
"We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience that CWU strike action causes."
Damage
Damage
Millie Banerjee, chairwoman of the consumer watchdog Postwatch, said that "effectively these strikes mean that mail posted in the UK today is unlikely to be delivered before Thursday next week".
Millie Banerjee, chairwoman of the consumer watchdog Postwatch, said that "effectively these strikes mean that mail posted in the UK today is unlikely to be delivered before Thursday next week".
"It is hugely disappointing to watch a great British institution tear itself apart," she said.
"It is hugely disappointing to watch a great British institution tear itself apart," she said.
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.
He added that the industrial action would also inevitably damage the postal service.
He added that the industrial action would also inevitably damage the postal service.
"This will hasten the demise of the Royal Mail," he said.
"This will hasten the demise of the Royal Mail," he said.
Will you be affected by the strike? Are you a postal worker? What effect will the strike have? Send us your comments using the form below.
Will you be affected by the strike? Are you a postal worker? What effect will the strike have? Send us your comments using the form below.
