EAST Lancashire’s 600 postal workers say they are ready to strike next Thursday.

But union officials said the industrial action was ‘the last thing they wanted’ over a ‘modernisation’ row.

They have offered a last-ditch deal aimed at averting the walkout, but they said they would have ‘no option’ if this was rejected.

East Lancashire Communication Workers’ Union backed the national strike action in a ballot.

And the first walkout is due to take place next Thursday, following by further strikes if the dispute continues.

East Lancs CWU Chairman Stuart Caddy said: “We want to get back around the table with Royal Mail for several weeks of intensive negotiations.

“This is a commitment from us and now we want a commitment from Royal Mail.

“If they do not want to take this forward then on Thursday we will be giving seven days notice for industrial action.

“The strikes will involve all of the seperate units of the postal service including delivery and processing on a rolling plan across the country.

“We want to make it clear that industrial action is the last thing that any employee wants.”

In a letter proposing the ‘last-ditch’ deal, the CWU called for a new benefits package to reward postal workers, urged Royal Mail to step back from imposing changes and said a three-year agreement should be reached aimed at providing long-term stability for the business, employees and customers.

Royal Mail managing director Mark Higson said the union had raised a number of issues, including a demand for more money.

He said: “If the union are serious about resolving this dispute they should immediately lift the threat of strike action.”

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