Post strike: Wildcat action continues in Liverpool

Oct 13 2007 by Paula Owens, Liverpool Daily Post

liverpool postal strike

HOSPITALS and small businesses were among the hardest hit yesterday as wildcat strikes by Merseyside postal workers caused anger across the region.

All 21 depots covering the L postcode remained out last night despite a deal being reached between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union, following marathon talks which ended late last night.

Earlier in the afternoon, Royal Mail was granted a High Court injunction declaring official action planned by the CWU for Monday and Tuesday illegal.

But local branch representatives said pickets would probably continue outside Liverpool’s main Copperas Hill depot today, even though a national deal was reached just before midnight.

Liverpool Chamber of Commerce says businesses across the city are losing thousands of pounds due to the walkouts.

At city hospitals, staff have been hand-delivering appointment letters to patients and further special measures will be implemented if the situation goes on.

Problems caused by last week’s official strikes were exacerbated in Liverpool by the unofficial mass walkouts over changes in shift patterns, after official action ended on Wednesday, meaning backlogs of post have continued to grow.

A spokesman for Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust said: “The repercussions for us are huge. Some staff have been out delivering letters to patients’ homes.

“Banks of staff are also having to make phone calls to patients because we can’t get letters to them.

“Some patients are seriously unwell and need to start treatment. A delay in receiving a letter could mean a delay to the start of their treatment.”