Christmas strike threatened at Royal Mail

LONDON, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- Christmas deliveries of cards and presents in Britain could be delayed by another strike by employees of the Royal Mail, a union leader says.

Billy Hayes, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, sent a letter to members warning of possible job actions within the next few weeks, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday. He said the union did not promise a "strike-free Christmas" when it made a temporary settlement with management.

"Unless there is sufficient evidence of a change in management's attitude, local agreements being reached and significant progress toward a full and final agreement, then we will have no alternative other than to return to strike action before Christmas," he said.

Strikes in September delayed the delivery of millions of pieces of mail. Last month, Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trade Union Council, said the interim agreement meant there would be no disruption of mail service through Christmas.