POSTAL workers in Leigh have apologised to the public and businesses in the town for their one-day strikes tomorrow (Thursday) and last Friday.

But, they say, the strikes are necessary to protect jobs and to make management realise they cannot be pushed around.

The Siddow Common sorting office came to a halt at midnight on last Thursday for 24 hours and pickets manned the gates.

But the picket was peaceful and the postmen and women were anxious to assure the public it was action they were forced to take.

It was part of a national 24 hour stoppage while unions and management tried desperately to thrash out a deal on pay and conditions.

But Leigh postman Steve Prior, speaking on behalf of the pickets, said they were also against what is termed 'team working' where staff have to cover for other groups who may be short staffed.

"This means there is one group leader and a team and the group leader has to cover for anyone who may be off as well as doing his or her own job and this means work gets behind and stops the public getting a first class service.

"We are also asking management for streamlining in the mail, which means stopping junk mail getting the same priority as first class post. The present system means that someone, for instance, waiting for a giro cheque may have to wait for the second delivery while junk mail is delivered with the first delivery when it could wait until later. The system is unfair, but streamlining doesn't seem to be a priority with Post Office management."

Unless the unions and management come up with a formula soon, the one day strikes could become a permanent feature, postal workers have warned.

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