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Wildcat strikes plague Royal Mail Wildcat strikes plague Royal Mail
(about 2 hours later)
Wildcat postal strikes have persisted despite the end of an official 48-hour Royal Mail walkout.Wildcat postal strikes have persisted despite the end of an official 48-hour Royal Mail walkout.
Up to 130,000 Communication Workers Union (CWU) members were due to return to work on Wednesday after the latest strike, which has disrupted services.Up to 130,000 Communication Workers Union (CWU) members were due to return to work on Wednesday after the latest strike, which has disrupted services.
But many were outraged to discover that the times of their attendance had been changed without their consent.But many were outraged to discover that the times of their attendance had been changed without their consent.
Royal Mail have confirmed unofficial strike action is taking place in Liverpool and London.Royal Mail have confirmed unofficial strike action is taking place in Liverpool and London.
The firm said it was "extremely concerned at the unlawful unofficial strike action taking place at a handful of sites".The firm said it was "extremely concerned at the unlawful unofficial strike action taking place at a handful of sites".
"Unlawful action is wholly unacceptable and must be condemned by the trade union," a Royal Mail spokesman said."Unlawful action is wholly unacceptable and must be condemned by the trade union," a Royal Mail spokesman said.
He added: "People at 99% of our workplaces have returned to work as scheduled."He added: "People at 99% of our workplaces have returned to work as scheduled."
Gordon Brown urged striking workers to return to work. Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons he said that there was "no justification" for the dispute to continue.
Unofficial strikesUnofficial strikes
The unofficial stoppage was called at district offices throughout Liverpool and soon spread to the main sorting office at Copperas Hill, while workers at branches in east and south London also walked out.The unofficial stoppage was called at district offices throughout Liverpool and soon spread to the main sorting office at Copperas Hill, while workers at branches in east and south London also walked out.
Workers at the Victoria Road office in Glasgow walked out earlier, but have now resumed their duties.Workers at the Victoria Road office in Glasgow walked out earlier, but have now resumed their duties.
Royal Mail worker David Wall, a postman with the Walton office in Liverpool, said hundreds of postal workers had gone back to the picket lines to protest against the changes to flexible working hours.Royal Mail worker David Wall, a postman with the Walton office in Liverpool, said hundreds of postal workers had gone back to the picket lines to protest against the changes to flexible working hours.
These included the end of the freedom to leave early once staff have finished their round.These included the end of the freedom to leave early once staff have finished their round.
He explained that the wildcat strikes were triggered by new Royal Mail rules, which they had not consented to, that prevented workers from starting work before 0600 BST and leaving before 1415 BST.He explained that the wildcat strikes were triggered by new Royal Mail rules, which they had not consented to, that prevented workers from starting work before 0600 BST and leaving before 1415 BST.
FlexibilityFlexibility
Historically, most postal workers begun their shift between 0500 BST and 0530 BST and were free to go when they had finished their round.Historically, most postal workers begun their shift between 0500 BST and 0530 BST and were free to go when they had finished their round.
Mr Wall argued this loss of flexibility, and not pay, was the reason why he was on strike and said that he believed that was the case for most of his Royal Mail colleagues.Mr Wall argued this loss of flexibility, and not pay, was the reason why he was on strike and said that he believed that was the case for most of his Royal Mail colleagues.
"The current Royal Mail management introduced this concept of flexibility when they were appointed," said Mr Wall."The current Royal Mail management introduced this concept of flexibility when they were appointed," said Mr Wall.
"Now, they are taking it away, claiming it is because they need to modernise and save money, yet there is no sign that their bonuses have been cut.""Now, they are taking it away, claiming it is because they need to modernise and save money, yet there is no sign that their bonuses have been cut."
He criticised the government, the Royal Mail's main shareholder, for not stepping in and resolving the dispute.He criticised the government, the Royal Mail's main shareholder, for not stepping in and resolving the dispute.
Have you been caught up in events? Do you have any pictures of the strike action and its effects? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below.Have you been caught up in events? Do you have any pictures of the strike action and its effects? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below.
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124.You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124.
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
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