Bristol postal strikes leave 1.5 million items undelivered

More than 1.5 million items are lying undelivered in sorting offices in Bristol because of  strikes by postal workers.

The claim by a union  follows 24-hour strikes at the Bristol sorting office at Filton and the regional depot at Severn Beach.

Further action involving 900 staff is planned at 18  smaller depots, starting tomorrow at 4am for 24 hours.

The latest action, which ended yesterday, saw more than 1,400 workers out on strike.

Andy Wiltshire, of the Communication Workers’ Union, said: “We estimate more than 1.5 million letters, parcels and other items haven’t been delivered because of the strikes.”

The depots affected  tomorrow include Clevedon,   Yatton, Montpelier,  Whitehall, Yate, Keynsham, Bedminster, Portishead,  Easton, Clifton, Kingswood, Nailsea, Avonmouth, Fishponds and  Westbury-on-Trym.

Axbridge, Woolavington and Bridgwater are also striking on Friday.

The Royal Mail wants to modernise working practices because customers are favouring emails and texts over letters.

The CWU is balloting its 122,000 members around the country on whether to take  the industrial action nationwide.

In a statement, the Royal Mail said: “The industrial action taken by members of the CWU has caused delays to mail in the Bristol area. 

“We have robust  contingency arrangements in place to get mail through our network quickly.  We are working hard to deliver  letters to our customers as soon as we can.”