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On the same day that Royal Mail announced the impending closure of mail centres at Oxford and Reading, it said that the Gloucester mail centre would remain open – for the next two years.

The postal workers’ CWU union has announced a new programme of strikes as part of its dispute with Royal Mail.

Royal Mail has put its cards on the table. For a small compromise on pay – a 6.7 percent rise over two years – it wants to rip up every national and local agreement between the company and the CWU postal workers’ union.

Almost immediately after the break up of talks with the CWU, Royal Mail sent out letters to thousands of postal workers telling them that their start times are to be changed.

A clash took place last week between Royal Mail management at the Oxford mail centre and Bob Cullen, a leading CWU union rep, resulting in a complaint to the police.

The battle between Royal Mail bosses and the CWU postal workers’ union is at a crucial stage, the outcome of which will determine the future of the union in the industry.

The CWU postal workers’ union announced this week that it will resume strikes at Royal Mail after management walked out of talks aimed to settle the dispute over pay. It is now likely that the union will call action before the end of September.

Hundreds of post workers at Stockport mail centre went on unofficial strike on Friday of last week to demand the reinstatement of a sacked colleague. They returned to work on Tuesday after agreeing to a ballot for an official strike.

The postal workers' CWU union was in talks with Royal Mail about a possible improvement to the company's 2.5 percent pay offer as Socialist Worker went to press.

The likelihood of a resumption of strike action in Royal Mail is growing as talks between management and the CWU union have produced little in the way of an improved offer.

Sacked Luton post worker John Peters, who was dismissed by Royal Mail after his postal van was stolen, has been inundated with messages of support.

Postal workers in the CWU union have shown how we can challenge Gordon Brown’s 2 percent pay limit. Their solid strike action has forced an arrogant Royal Mail management to the negotiating table.