Two postal union reps say they have been suspended for "inappropriate" behaviour after they wore football scarves and hoodies on a picket line.

The pair, one Bristol Rovers fan and the other a Bristol City fan, also used a picture of hardcore Italian football fans, known as Ultras, to publicise the football-themed picket, which took place outside the South West Distribution Centre (SWDC) at Severn Beach on September 12.

But just over a fortnight later the two Communication Workers' Union (CWU) officials were suspended from work and sent home, accused of acting and behaving "inappropriately" during the strike.

Union leaders claim the men – Chris Brewer, 54, and Ted Coles, 47, have been targeted by Royal Mail bosses because of their position in the CWU.

The Royal Mail confirmed the men had been suspended for inappropriate behaviour but declined to discuss their case in detail.

Mr Brewer, from Sea Mills, said: "Royal Mail is saying that we were inappropriately dressed on the picket line by wearing hoodies and a scarf and we have been suspended for the last three weeks. But no charges have really been put to us yet.

"They said we put up a notice inviting people to the picket line, and they took offence, saying that the wording and picket were offensive."

Mr Brewer, a City fan who has been a union rep for 14 years, devised the football theme for the picket on September 12, which was attended by four other union members, and said that themes for pickets had been common since a round of strikes in 2007.

He put a photo of a group of Ultras on a notice board at the SWDC, inviting workers to join the picket.

But bosses took a dim view of the picture because of the Ultras' association with football violence.

Mr Brewer said: "The idea of the photo was to show that we would keep the dispute going to try to get a resolution, nothing more. I was wearing my football scarf because it was a Saturday and I was going to Coventry to watch Bristol City play. But they said we were wearing intimidating clothing.

"There is no such thing as a rule on what we have to wear on the picket line."

Mr Coles, from Stoke Gifford, has been with Royal Mail for just under 20 years, and a union rep for the past two.

The Rovers fan said: "It was part of the message we were trying to convey. If we two –a City fan and a Rovers fan –can get along, then surely the CWU and Royal Mail can sort things out.

"And we had hoodies on because it was 5am and it was pretty cold."

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: "Royal Mail can confirm that two employees at the South West Distribution Centre have been suspended pending an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour on a picket line and posting inappropriate material on notice boards.

"Royal Mail is duty-bound to investigate in every case where allegations are received.

"All cases are handled in accordance with set conduct procedures agreed with the CWU.

"We do not disclose the details of any individual cases."