Final attempt to halt post strike

Royal Mail is set to double its pre-Christmas temporary staffing

Discussions between Royal Mail and the postal workers' union are set to resume later in a last-ditch attempt to avert two planned 24-hour strikes.

A second day of talks lasted 12 hours and ended late on Tuesday evening.

The Communication Workers Union is planning two UK-wide strikes on Thursday and Friday in a row over pay, conditions and modernisation plans.

During prime minister's questions, Gordon Brown said a postal strike would be "counter-productive".

He also urged the CWU and Royal Mail to pursue negotiation and mediation.

In response, Conservative leader David Cameron accused the prime minister of "an appalling display of weakness" by apparently dropping legislation to reform the Royal Mail.

He added that to prevent union militancy, "leadership, some backbone and some courage" were needed, qualities he suggested the prime minister did not have to offer.

Royal Mail says it is willing to go to conciliation service Acas, but only if postal staff call off their action.

The BBC's Martin Shankleman said that some observers felt the length of Tuesday's session suggested there might be grounds for optimism.

EXPECTED STRIKE DISRUPTION

22 October: Limited processing, movement and collection of mail

23 October: Limited delivery and collection of mail

Some managerial staff and contract drivers will be brought in to move mail but services will be "very limited"

Special Delivery and Royal Mail Tracked items will still be delivered on strike days

Post Office branches will be open as usual although collections will be affected

Parcelforce will operate as normal as it has its own collection, distribution and delivery network

Customers should check the Royal Mail website or call 08457 740 740 for the latest service information

Source: Royal Mail

Q&A: Royal Mail dispute

Gordon Brown's comment mirrored that of business secretary Peter Mandelson, who told the House of Lords on Tuesday that a nationwide postal strike would be "totally self-defeating".

Industrial action would drive customers away from Royal Mail and could "irrevocably damage" its reputation, he added.

Lord Mandelson said if the strikes did go ahead for a prolonged period, contingency plans for delivery of hospital appointments and medical test results were being drawn up.

But the Communication Workers Union (CWU) accused Lord Mandelson of interfering and said his comments "would damage the talks".

"While the CWU and Royal Mail management are working hard to reach an agreement, Lord Mandelson is misrepresenting the facts to Parliament and undermining any progress being made," it added.

Royal Mail will be hiring double the 15,000 temporary staff it usually takes on before Christmas.

Management said the extra workers would cut the impact of "unjustified and irresponsible" industrial action.

On Thursday, mail centre staff and drivers are planning to strike. The next day it will be delivery and collection staff.