POSTAL services in Worcestershire and Herefordshire are set to be plunged into more chaos when 1,200 workers go on strike.

The Communication Workers' Union has announced industrial action is on the cards next month following Royal Mail's announcement to make changes to the terms and conditions of work for postal staff.

The Postal Executive for the CWU has agreed a 48-hour strike from Friday October 5 to Saturday, October 6 and another from Monday, October 8 to Tuesday, October 9.

The week commencing Monday, October 15, there will be a rolling programme of strikes to continue weekly until the dispute is resolved.

Brendon Allen, branch secretary for the CWU for the two counties, said: "This strike action requires a big commitment from postman and postwomen across the two counties.

"However, it is a proportionate response to an employer that is completely out of control. Rather than running the business, Royal Mail's actions demonstrate they are intent on destroying it."

He said In the last week the company announced executive action on pension proposals, network changes on Tuesday, October 23 and action against engineers, the net effect of which will mean a reduction of 10 per cent of posts.

He added: "These announcements are on top of the fact that Royal Mail will not settle a pay rise owed to members from April 1.