Post strike is on

Postal workers in London will stage a 24-hour strike on October 1 in a dispute over pay, the Communication Workers Union announced today.

The Royal Mail says it has "contingency plans" in place to "minimise" delays. It has already warned, however, that there isn't "any more money to put on the table".

The 28-strong executive council of the Communication Workers Union met with London representatives this morning.

The dispute, which involves only London postmen and women, but will have a knock-on effect across the rest of the UK, is about demands for an increase in London weighting.

Last week CWU members across the country narrowly voted not to strike in a dispute over pay.

At the same time, however, a second ballot was held in the capital over London weighting where members overwhelmingly endorsed the strike call.