Royal Mail has been holding talks with the CWU since the two days of strikes last week to prevent a repeat – and discussions were still taking place when the Observer went to print yesterday afternoon.

Workers in Chichester would be part of the planned strikes taking place on Saturday if they had not been called off by then.

If the strike happens, it will involve more than 100 workers at the Basin Road office, who would otherwise be delivering mail.

Deputy CWU rep for Chichester Tony Richardson said they had no choice but to be a part of the strikes last week.

He said: "We have come to the end of our tether and we have to do something about it. This is our last resort because people do no want to lose money and people do not want to go on strike, but we have to do it.

"It will have an effect on the public, but what can we do about it? We have to do something, we can't just let the post office slip away."

Postman of 32 years Rick Keen was part of the walkout last week in Chichester. He was concerned about the company's pension fund crisis.

"If we can't show it by demonstrating like this, we will never be able to get through to anyone," he said.

"They cannot even tell me when I retire in two years' time that I will get my pension.

"That's why I'm out on strike, I'm thinking of the future and it could end up that I have to work until I'm 65 on a part-time job, when I want a full-time job.

"I don't like it at all, I want to retire at 60 if I can, I want to get something out of life. I think I have done my bit for Royal Mail and that's it."


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