Postal strike off for now . . . but Xmas still at risk

A NATIONAL postal strike scheduled for next week has been called off after a High Court judge ruled it was illegal.

But if peace talks fail, the next time one can take place is at the height of the preChristmas rush – threatening deliveries of cards and gifts.

The mass walkout – the first planned by workers at Royal Mail since it was privatised in 2013 – could now be pushed back by at least nine weeks.

Mr Justice Supperstone yesterday blocked the strike after Royal Mail bosses argued that it could not could take place unless the Communication Workers Union first sat down for lengthy arbitration talks, an agreement it signed up to four years ago.

Union members had overwhelmingly backed a call for strikes over pensions and pay. The 4 -hour walkout was then set for next Thursday.

Royal Mail applauded the court decision, saying it would give it time to try to get the strike called off altogether.

But Dave Ward, the union’s general secretary, said: ‘Unless the company significantly shifts its position and we can quickly conclude a good agreement for our members, strike action is inevitable.’