Christmas deliveries at risk as Royal Mail prepares strike: What you need to know.

(Carl Court/Getty Images)

The UK’s Christmas deliveries could be hit this year after postal workers yesterday voted to strike for the first time since the business was privatised four years ago.

Why is a strike being threatened?

The planned industrial action centres around a bitter pay and pensions dispute. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said it was sparked by Royal Mail‘s “attack on the pension rights of hard-working postmen and women” as well as its “refusal” to engage over pay, working hours, future job security and the need to improve and grow the service.

When is the strike likely to hit?

If the strike goes ahead it could threaten pre-Christmas deliveries. Workers could walk out on “Black Friday” in late November – the day when many retailers start seasonal pre-Yuletide sales. The first rumoured two-day strike could hit on 24 and 25 November.

But Royal Mail said: “There are no grounds for industrial action. We want to reach an agreement.”

It believes the dispute is subject to legally binding contractual resolution procedures which are likely to last until Christmas and maybe beyond.

By Simon Read.

Full story at Yahoo News.