Non-union staff prepare for strike

Contingency plans are being drawn up at Isle of Man Post Office, to keep the business going if workers go out on strike.

Members of the Communication Workers Union have voted overwhelmingly in support of action in a dispute over pay.

Post office managers say those staff not in the union would continue to run a reduced service if a strike was called.

That could include asking some customers to collect their post, as happened during the severe winter weather.

Post Office commercial director Lisa Duckworth says the threat to business is very worrying (first part of audio file):

CWU assistant secretary Terry Pullinger has called for further talks with the Post Office, to avoid a strike, but the Post Office says it must stick to the public sector pay freeze.

Mr Pullinger says the stakes are high, all round (second part of audio file):