Some 30,000 jobs could be lost to automation, unions fear

The BBC has learned that the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) has started informal talks with Royal Mail about the future of the industry.

These will also cover possible job losses when postal services are fully opened up to competition in January.

The Royal Mail says the move will prompt "unprecedented changes".

It acknowledges there will be job losses as competitors win part of its existing business and volumes of mail decrease.

Automated service?

However, in a statement it insisted that nothing had been decided for definite.

The CWU wants to see postmen and women's weekly salaries boosted by �80.

Its deputy general secretary Dave Ward said wage rates for postal workers had fallen behind those of other trades.

The CWU also fears the business wants to embrace the full automation of letter services, which it says could lead to up to 30,000 job losses.

It has pledged to oppose any large scale redundancies and moves towards a part-time industry in the future.

Stamp prices

A ballot for industrial action has not been ruled out.

Meanwhile, postal services regulator Postcomm says the price of stamps could rise sharply as part of efforts to withstand competition.

First class stamps are set to go up from 30p to 32p next April and could cost 36p by 2010.