Strike threat to Christmas mail

Postal workers` leaders have warned that industrial action over pay could threaten the Christmas mail and spread across the country as thousands of postmen and women staged their latest walkout.

Members of the Communication Workers Union in London marched through the capital and called on the Government to intervene in a bitter row over allowances.

Deputy General Secretary Dave Ward warned that postal workers in other parts of the UK could be balloted in the next few weeks in a separate dispute over jobs and working practices.

Workers at mail centres and transport depots could be asked to vote on industrial action, he warned.

The 24-hour walkout has been "solidly supported" by up to 30,000 union members, many of whom mounted picket lines across the capital.

The union's General Secretary, Billy Hayes, said it was time for the Government to stop sitting on the sidelines and to try to help resolve the row over London Weighting allowances.

He said the public would expect "postwoman Pat" - referring to Trade and Industry secretary Patricia Hewitt - to intervene to sort out the "mess".

Mr Hayes said one-third of mail went through London and predicted that disruption caused by the strike would be felt in other parts of the country.

The union said it was prepared to continue with the dispute, adding pointedly that the Royal Mail was approaching the busy run up to Christmas.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of council workers went out on strike in London in a separate dispute over pay, and BT workers staged a demonstration outside the firm's head office, also calling for an increase in allowances.

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