POSTAL workers in Royston went on strike on Friday as part of a national dispute over pay and working conditions. Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) went on strike in protest at Royal Mail s decision to cut jobs and reduce pay for postal wor

POSTAL workers in Royston went on strike on Friday as part of a national dispute over pay and working conditions.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) went on strike in protest at Royal Mail's decision to cut jobs and reduce pay for postal workers.

CWU members set up a picket line outside the Royal Mail sorting office in Grantham Close, Royston.

A spokesman said: "We've been here all morning, despite the rain, and will have representation here for the rest of the day. Of the 73 people who work at this office only one crossed the picket line."

A second group of postal workers protested outside the Royston post office in the High Street.

Steve Butts, area delivery representative for Cam-bridge and Stevenage, said: "Turn out in North Herts was good, particularly in Royston and Stevenage.

"We don't want to strike, we just want the company to negotiate with us constructively. As things stand it's offering us a pay rise, but changes to working hours will mean we end up worse off."

Talks to avert the strike broke down last Wednesday when postal workers rejected a 2.5 per cent pay offer from Royal Mail.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "We are sorry at the disruption caused to our customers' mail services by last week's strike.