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Postal strike scheduled to resume Post workers resume strike action
(about 21 hours later)
Postal workers are set to start another 48-hour strike at 0300 BST on Monday in a repeat of last week's stoppages, which crippled services. Postal workers have started a second 48-hour strike over pay, pensions and job cuts in a repeat of last week's stoppages which crippled services.
It comes as reports say that the strikes could cost Royal Mail far more than had been expected.It comes as reports say that the strikes could cost Royal Mail far more than had been expected.
The industrial action could end up costing as much as £260m, according to sources quoted in the Sunday Telegraph.The industrial action could end up costing as much as £260m, according to sources quoted in the Sunday Telegraph.
The report blames longer term damage as customers switch to other forms of communication because of the strikes.The report blames longer term damage as customers switch to other forms of communication because of the strikes.
It says that by the end of the second 48-hour strike the cost to Royal Mail will have been between £50m and £60m. It says that by the end of the second 48-hour strike, which began at 0300 BST on Monday, the cost to Royal Mail will have been between £50m and £60m.
But over time, the senior executive estimates that people shunning postal services in favour of electronic forms of communication, so that they will not be affected by future strikes, could cost an extra £200m. But over time, a senior executive estimates that people shunning postal services in favour of electronic forms of communication, so that they will not be affected by future strikes, could cost an extra £200m.
About 130,000 members of the Communication Workers Union are at loggerheads with Royal Mail over pay, pensions and job cuts. About 130,000 members of the Communication Workers Union are at loggerheads with Royal Mail.
HAVE YOUR SAY I appreciate they do a lot of work but the strike could lead to more job losses Kim Wood, Macclesfield Send us your comments
The union has rejected a pay offer of 2.5% and is worried about modernisation plans, which it believes will threaten about 40,000 jobs.The union has rejected a pay offer of 2.5% and is worried about modernisation plans, which it believes will threaten about 40,000 jobs.
Talks between the union and management continued over the weekend but could not reach agreement.Talks between the union and management continued over the weekend but could not reach agreement.
Royal Mail said that about 35,000 of the 110,000 staff due to work on Friday had come in despite the strike.Royal Mail said that about 35,000 of the 110,000 staff due to work on Friday had come in despite the strike.
It said that they had handled about 45% of mail in the system, although there had been less than usual because the strike had been well publicised.It said that they had handled about 45% of mail in the system, although there had been less than usual because the strike had been well publicised.