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Post staff begin national strike Post staff begin national strike
(about 1 hour later)
The first nationwide postal strike in two years has begun after talks between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) broke down.The first nationwide postal strike in two years has begun after talks between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) broke down.
Mail centre staff and drivers began a 24-hour walkout at 0400 BST. Delivery and collection staff will strike on Friday with more strike dates expected.Mail centre staff and drivers began a 24-hour walkout at 0400 BST. Delivery and collection staff will strike on Friday with more strike dates expected.
Union leaders have blamed Business Secretary Lord Mandelson and Royal Mail chiefs for the failure to reach a deal.Union leaders have blamed Business Secretary Lord Mandelson and Royal Mail chiefs for the failure to reach a deal.
But ministers say the suggestion that an agreement was vetoed is "fantasy".But ministers say the suggestion that an agreement was vetoed is "fantasy".
There were about 20 people - including pickets and supporters - outside the Royal Mail's Mount Pleasant sorting office in London, the BBC's employment correspondent Martin Shankleman said.There were about 20 people - including pickets and supporters - outside the Royal Mail's Mount Pleasant sorting office in London, the BBC's employment correspondent Martin Shankleman said.
STORY SO FAR... Postal workers, especially in London, have been holding intermittent one-day strikes for months in a row over the way Royal Mail is to be modernisedEarlier this month postal workers voted three to one in favour of nationwide industrial action (though Royal Mail said 60% of the total number of postal workers in the UK did not vote to strike)The CWU set dates for the first nationwide postal strikes in two yearsLast-gasp talks failed to reach an agreement and indeed the split between the union and Royal Mail management became more acrimonious Q&A: Royal Mail dispute Royal Mail's one-man competitor STORY SO FAR... Postal workers, especially in London, have been holding intermittent one-day strikes for months in a row over the way Royal Mail is to be modernisedEarlier this month, postal workers voted three to one in favour of nationwide industrial action (though Royal Mail said 60% of the total number of postal workers in the UK did not vote to strike)The CWU set dates for the first nationwide postal strikes in two yearsLast-gasp talks failed to reach an agreement and indeed the split between the union and Royal Mail management became more acrimonious Q&A: Royal Mail dispute Royal Mail's one-man competitor
The mood was peaceful, with no sign of any tension or police presence, he added.The mood was peaceful, with no sign of any tension or police presence, he added.
'External forces' 'Vindictive'
The CWU said the business secretary had worked with Royal Mail to "undermine the dispute". The CWU said it would be announcing plans for further strike action.
However, postal minister Pat McFadden described the strike as "tragic", saying the union had failed to give clear reasons why it was going ahead with the action. Dave Ward, CWU deputy leader, said his message to Royal Mail and Lord Mandelson was to "get your hands dirty" and meet the union at the conciliation service Acas.
He said it was "fantasy" to suggest Lord Mandelson had vetoed a deal in the row over pay, conditions and modernisation. He also criticised Lord Mandelson, describing his actions as "vindictive".
At a news conference on Wednesday, CWU deputy leader Dave Ward said he believed every time progress had been made, "external forces" had deliberately attempted to undermine the chances of a deal. The business secretary said that trading insults would not help resolve the dispute.
The union accused Lord Mandelson of working "hand in hand with Royal Mail" to deliberately undermine the talks, saying the minister had privately expressed his doubts about the capabilities of Royal Mail's management. "Politicising it or dramatising it is absolutely useless," Lord Mandelson said.
"I'm not sure that my intervening would be welcome by both sides. Both sides within the Royal Mail itself need to resolve this."
'Period of calm''Period of calm'
Royal Mail condemned the strikes which it said were "wholly unjustified". Royal Mail condemned the strikes, which it said were "wholly unjustified".
It had earlier issued a plea for a "strike-free period of calm" in the run-up to Christmas, saying industrial action would bring "huge damage and distraction" and cause "pain and disruption" for customers.It had earlier issued a plea for a "strike-free period of calm" in the run-up to Christmas, saying industrial action would bring "huge damage and distraction" and cause "pain and disruption" for customers.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
The decision to go ahead with strike action came after more than 30 hours of talks between Royal Mail and the union this week.The decision to go ahead with strike action came after more than 30 hours of talks between Royal Mail and the union this week.
Some companies, including John Lewis and Amazon, have said they are using alternative delivery services.Some companies, including John Lewis and Amazon, have said they are using alternative delivery services.
The Federation of Small Businesses estimates that 70% of the 4.8 million small firms in the UK rely on the Royal Mail for their post. It says that every postal strike costs its members, who have up to 20 staff, £300 each.The Federation of Small Businesses estimates that 70% of the 4.8 million small firms in the UK rely on the Royal Mail for their post. It says that every postal strike costs its members, who have up to 20 staff, £300 each.
If the strikes continue for a prolonged period, contingency plans for delivery of hospital appointments and medical test results have been drawn up, MPs were told earlier this week.If the strikes continue for a prolonged period, contingency plans for delivery of hospital appointments and medical test results have been drawn up, MPs were told earlier this week.
And it has emerged that the Ministry of Defence may charter extra aircraft to ensure serving troops get their Christmas post.And it has emerged that the Ministry of Defence may charter extra aircraft to ensure serving troops get their Christmas post.
'Militancy worse''Militancy worse'
HAVE YOUR SAYI won't have any junk mailMarion Monahan, Bristol Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYI won't have any junk mailMarion Monahan, Bristol Send us your comments
The prime minister had urged unions and managers to agree a deal, saying a strike would be "counter-productive".The prime minister had urged unions and managers to agree a deal, saying a strike would be "counter-productive".
In the Commons on Wednesday, David Cameron accused Gordon Brown of lacking the "courage and leadership" to intervene in the postal dispute to prevent two days of planned strikes.In the Commons on Wednesday, David Cameron accused Gordon Brown of lacking the "courage and leadership" to intervene in the postal dispute to prevent two days of planned strikes.
Since plans to part-privatise Royal Mail had been shelved "union militancy has got worse," the Tory leader said.Since plans to part-privatise Royal Mail had been shelved "union militancy has got worse," the Tory leader said.
Mr Brown said that had nothing to do with the dispute and urged unions and managers to agree a deal.Mr Brown said that had nothing to do with the dispute and urged unions and managers to agree a deal.