Postal workers in the Tavistock area claimed 100 per cent support at their own delivery office for their first strike over pay in more than 50 years, disrupting deliveries.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) walked out for the first strike in its current dispute with the Royal Mail Group last Friday and were due to stop work again yesterday (Wednesday) after rejecting a 2% offer by the employer.

Another two walkouts are planned for Thursday and Friday, September 8 and 9 on the same issue.

The action could escalate after Royal Mail tied its pay offer to changes in terms and conditions.

A union picket line was staged outside the delivery office on Friday. Postman Ben Scott, union spokesman in Tavistock, said: ‘We’re very pleased at the high level of support for the strike here in Tavistock. No one has crossed our picket line and even non union members have supported us. We’ve rejected the 2% offer because it is nowhere near the cost of living. The union does not want the terms and conditions to be linked to pay. We’ve had a lot of good feedback from the general public who value us.’

The strike hits Crown Post Offices, postal deliveries and delivery offices. A Royal Mail statement said: ‘We’re sorry for the disruption this is likely to cause you. We’re doing what we can to keep services running, but customers should expect significant disruption. We are ready to talk further with the CWU, but it must be about change and pay.’