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Talks bid to avert strike action Talks fail to avert strike action
(about 1 hour later)
Postal workers across Northern Ireland are due to begin the first of two 48-hour strikes. A two-day postal strike has begun despite last-minute talks between the Communication Workers Union and the management of Royal Mail.
The Communication Workers Union said it was taking industrial action because of a row over pay and jobs. Employees are protesting over pay, pensions and modernisation.
The strikes will take place from lunchtime on Thursday to lunchtime on Saturday and from Monday to Wednesday next week. A second stoppage is scheduled for next Monday and it is expected service will not return to normal until the middle of next week.
Royal Mail said it was still talking to the union in an attempt to avert the strike. Royal Mail said it was disappointed at the move and advised customers not to post mail on strike days.
It said it was disappointed at the prospect of industrial action and was advising customers not to post mail on strike days.
Julie McMaster from the customers' watchdog Postwatch said small business would suffer very badly.Julie McMaster from the customers' watchdog Postwatch said small business would suffer very badly.
"OK, you have electronic e-mails and that sort of thing, but if you are waiting for that cheque, that one cheque can be the breaking of a business," she said."OK, you have electronic e-mails and that sort of thing, but if you are waiting for that cheque, that one cheque can be the breaking of a business," she said.
"They need to be aware of what actually is happening and try to make other arrangements.""They need to be aware of what actually is happening and try to make other arrangements."
In a statement, Royal Mail said talks were continuing in a bid to resolve the situation.
"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," the company said.