London postal strike begins
Thousands of postal workers are staging a 24-hour strike in the capital, with the mail system expected to come to a standstill today.
With more than 25,000 members of the Communication Workers Union in London expected to walk out, analysts estimate the total cost of the stoppage will be around £10 million.
Royal Mail is urging the public not to post letters unless they are urgent, while the backlog of mail is expected to result in further problems during the next week.
Chief executive Adam Crozier described the strike as ‘madness’, particularly in the wake of yesterday’s £7.5 million fine from industry regulator Postcomm after Royal Mail failed to meet targets for two of its business services.
Mr Crozier reiterated Royal Mail’s stance concerning the union’s demands for an increase in London Weighting allowance, insisting that ‘there is no more money to come’.
London sorting offices typically deal with 16 million letters every day.
