Post workers threaten more strike action

The UGT general workers union was last night claiming that the first day of postal strike was a success with walk outs at Santa Ponsa, Paguera and Arta post offices. In Palma however, just 40 per cent of delivery men and women joined industrial action. Across Spain, 80 per cent of postal staff went on strike, according to the UGT, but post office officials claims the figure was more like eight per cent. The strike however does not have the full support of the seven unions which represent post office staff and the CC.OO workers commission said last night that neither it nor its members are backing industrial action, claiming that just ten per cent of the work force went on strike yesterday. The post office said that negotiations over full time contracts and better working conditions are going to continue. Further strike action can be expected however. Union bosses said last night that a second “general strike” is being organised for November 18. Despite the differences of opinion over the success of the strike yesterday, postal services across the Balearics were affected and only today, when delivery services return to normal, will yesterday's back log of post be delivered. But unions are warning that unless negotiations start to prove fruitful by November 18, more strike action will be organised next month with the aim of causing maximum disruption to the Christmas post.