Postal workers in Britain poised for strike

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2007

LONDON (AFP) — Up to 130,000 British postal staff will stage a 24-hour strike next Friday -- their first in more than a decade -- in a row over pay and conditions, union leaders said on Thursday.

The nationwide walkout will come two days after Gordon Brown replaces Tony Blair as prime minister.

Further strike action against the semi-privatised Royal Mail could follow early in July, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said in a statement.

"We have tried to reach an agreement, but Royal Mail are refusing to negotiate," CWU Deputy General Secretary Dave Ward said.

"We have also agreed further strike action within two weeks from the 29th June that is designed to maximise the impact on Royal Mail but at minimum cost to the CWU members."

The CWU...