HUNDREDS of postal workers joined picket lines across East London today as part of a 24-hour strike throughout the capital against possible job cuts. The strike went ahead despite 11th hour appeals from Royal Mail, as 9,000 walked out from sorting offices and delivery centres across London

By Gemma Collins

HUNDREDS of postal workers joined picket lines across East London today as part of a 24-hour strike throughout the capital against possible job cuts.

The strike went ahead despite 11th hour appeals from Royal Mail last night (Thursday) to avert the action.

More than 9,000 walked out from sorting offices and delivery centres outside central London.

The East London regional centre in Bromley-by-Bow had 100 workers on the picket this-morning which began at 10pm last night, many of whom are planning to stay 24 hours.

They even set up a barbecue camp’ as the sun came out (pictured).

NOSE DIVE

The CWU union’s East London rep for the sorters, Angie Mulcahy, told the East London Advertiser: “Royal Mail will nose dive If we don’t win this dispute.

“What is upsetting is that they are going to remove an integral part of our community if they get rid of postmen.”

Local sorting offices were also brought to a standstill outside Central London.

Up to 60 strikers were on picket from 6am at Bethnal Green sorting office, which handles mail for the E2, E8 and E9 postal districts.

CUTS

Limehouse centre which handles E14 post, including Canary Wharf, was also at a standstill, along with the Whitechapel office for E1 post and Bow office for E3.

The union has accused Royal Mail of making cuts ahead of the proposed modernisation programme, even before new hi-tech computers are brought in which can sort out deliveries by post code in walk order’ sequences down to the last house.

But Royal Mail denies announcing any redundancies.

“A strike will not modernise Royal Mail,” a London regional spokesman insisted. “It can only damage our drive in the competitive marketplace, leaving Royal Mail far less able to protect full-time jobs.”