A national postal strike will take place in the first week of March unless progress has been made in a pay dispute, union leaders warned yesterday.

The Communication Workers Union is seeking a five per cent pay rise for 145,000 Royal Mail workers and has rejected a 2 per cent offer, plus the chance of another 0.5 per cent if targets were met.

Forum Response: Communication Workers Union

John Keggie, deputy general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, told ePolitix.com: "The business knew that the union was announcing what form of action it will be taking, following last week's membership ballot backing strike action over the union's outstanding pay claim. So what happens on the eve of the announcement?

"Management in London and Dartford summarily dismissed two people in contravention of principles we have only recently agreed in the Sawyer Report. It hardly seems to be the action of a business looking for a settlement."

"We have agreed with the employer that we will extend the time-scale for industrial action for a further 28 days. We did this as the arbitration process to which we are committed takes 21 days and we hope to reach an agreement. The dismissals in the London area have done nothing to help that process.

"The union is 'pencilling in' strike dates in the first week of March if no progress is made on the pay claim, we stress that our intention is to minimise disruption to the public. We will make sure that Easter and Mother's Day mail, for example, are not affected. Hopefully Royal Mail will be as sensible."