Christmas post could be delayed (From This is The West Country)

Christmas post could be delayed

8:34am Tuesday 14th November 2006 in Devon

CHRISTMAS postal deliveries to tens of thousands of homes in Mid Devon could be disrupted in an ongoing dispute over flexible working and overtime.

Members of the Communication Workers Union are due to vote tomorrow (Friday) on whether to take industrial action during the festive season.

More than 400 staff at Exeter Mail Centre are due to take part in the ballot, which will last for two weeks.

In a statement, the Royal Mail said that ballot was "disappointing.."

A spokesman said: "We would rather resolve the issue amicably."

The union staged a wildcat strike at the centre in August over the same issues, disrupting deliveries to nearly 500,000 homes in the area.

Exeter Mail Centre processes around 1.2 million letters and parcels every day.