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More join wildcat postal walkouts More join wildcat postal walkouts
(19 minutes later)
More postal workers have walked out in wildcat protests, triggering further delivery delays.More postal workers have walked out in wildcat protests, triggering further delivery delays.
Staff at a further seven sites have joined workers at 24 sites in London, Glasgow and Liverpool in the unofficial protest at a change in working hours.Staff at a further seven sites have joined workers at 24 sites in London, Glasgow and Liverpool in the unofficial protest at a change in working hours.
The walkouts began on Tuesday as an official strike over a long-running row over pay, pensions and jobs ended.The walkouts began on Tuesday as an official strike over a long-running row over pay, pensions and jobs ended.
The government has condemned the strikes but ministers have insisted they will not intervene in the dispute.The government has condemned the strikes but ministers have insisted they will not intervene in the dispute.
Business and Enterprise Secretary John Hutton told MPs there was "no justification" for the dispute and urged strikers to return to work, echoing comments made by Gordon Brown on Wednesday.Business and Enterprise Secretary John Hutton told MPs there was "no justification" for the dispute and urged strikers to return to work, echoing comments made by Gordon Brown on Wednesday.
More than 40 Labour MPs signed a motion calling on the government to take a more assertive role in securing a "fair and just" settlement.More than 40 Labour MPs signed a motion calling on the government to take a more assertive role in securing a "fair and just" settlement.
And the Conservatives criticised the government for showing what they said was a lack of urgency in trying to end the "devastating" dispute.
New rowNew row
Across the country's 1,400 delivery offices, hundreds of workers are taking part in the wildcat action.Across the country's 1,400 delivery offices, hundreds of workers are taking part in the wildcat action.
The staff came into work this morning and it was the same scenario as yesterday Mark Walsh, CWU What is the strike about?The staff came into work this morning and it was the same scenario as yesterday Mark Walsh, CWU What is the strike about?
Outside Liverpool's Copperas Hill sorting office in the city centre, about 300 postal workers had gathered.Outside Liverpool's Copperas Hill sorting office in the city centre, about 300 postal workers had gathered.
Mark Walsh, branch secretary of the Communication Workers Union in the area, said that while feelings were "running high" among workers the local union had not lost control of the situation.Mark Walsh, branch secretary of the Communication Workers Union in the area, said that while feelings were "running high" among workers the local union had not lost control of the situation.
"There has been no agreement again. The staff came into work this morning and it was the same scenario as yesterday," he added."There has been no agreement again. The staff came into work this morning and it was the same scenario as yesterday," he added.
"They came into work and were told that their starting hours had been changed and they would not be paid for some time and they would be expected to stay later at the end of the day.""They came into work and were told that their starting hours had been changed and they would not be paid for some time and they would be expected to stay later at the end of the day."
Mr Walsh added the changes had been imposed on staff without their agreement - triggering the action.Mr Walsh added the changes had been imposed on staff without their agreement - triggering the action.
Gregor Gall, professor of industrial relations at Hertfordshire University added there was a "pressing need" for swift Government intervention because of the entrenched position of both sides in the dispute.Gregor Gall, professor of industrial relations at Hertfordshire University added there was a "pressing need" for swift Government intervention because of the entrenched position of both sides in the dispute.
He told the BBC that while the government should step in and take measures to resolve the situation.He told the BBC that while the government should step in and take measures to resolve the situation.
Hours disputeHours dispute
The union said that Wednesday morning's unofficial strike action was caused by "management's imposition of unagreed changes, particularly over later starts, and reflects the frustration felt by postal workers at Royal Mail's executive action".The union said that Wednesday morning's unofficial strike action was caused by "management's imposition of unagreed changes, particularly over later starts, and reflects the frustration felt by postal workers at Royal Mail's executive action".
Some of the returning workers went back to picket lines after complaining that changes to flexible working hours - including the end of the freedom to leave early once staff had finished their round - had been made.Some of the returning workers went back to picket lines after complaining that changes to flexible working hours - including the end of the freedom to leave early once staff had finished their round - had been made.
New Royal Mail rules, which postal workers have not consented to, prevent them starting work before 0600 BST and leaving before 1415 BST.New Royal Mail rules, which postal workers have not consented to, prevent them starting work before 0600 BST and leaving before 1415 BST.
Historically, most postal workers began their shift between 0500 BST and 0530 BST and were free to go when they had finished their round.Historically, most postal workers began their shift between 0500 BST and 0530 BST and were free to go when they had finished their round.