Oxford’s postal workers are to vote on Sunday whether or
not to enact another series of walkouts which will paralyse the
mail network in the city. The news comes shortly after unofficial
strikes left Oxford without post for almost a week. The new threats of disruption come in response to the leaking
of confidential witness statements which were part of an inquiry
into the previous strikes. The Communication Workers Union claims
the statements ended up with a group of alleged bullies and that
workers fear further harassment and intimidation unless something
is done. The previous strike was also justified along these
“health and safety” grounds. The previous unofficial strike caused widespread disruption to
businesses as a huge backlog of undelivered mail piled up. The
city council estimated the economic costs to local businesses at
over £500,000. Pensioners and Businesses are once again expected
to be among the hardest hit by industrial action. Students will also be affected, with some claiming to have
given up on Royal Mail altogether. David Adams told Cherwell that
“I’m shifting to pigeons” whilst the Lincoln Ball
Committee decided to deliver all the tickets to last
Saturday’s ball in person rather than chance the vagaries of
the postal system.ARCHIVE: 2nd week TT 2004
Yet more post chaos
