Oxford City Council has made arrangements for people to pick up housing benefit cheques while a postal strike in its third week continues. Normally about 700 cheques are sent out every week but since the strike began on 30 March people have not been receiving them.
The cheques can now be collected from the council offices at St Aldates in the city centre.
Nearly four million items of post have not been delivered due to the strike.
The unofficial action began over claims of bullying and, despite various meetings, no resolution has yet been found.
Councillor Richard Tarver said: "Many of our customers who receive their housing benefit through the post are elderly and we are very concerned that they do not suffer hardship because of the strike.
"We have taken the decision to hold the cheques back so people can collect them straight away from our offices.
"When the strike is resolved, we will immediately post out all uncollected cheques. "
People planning to collect their cheques are reminded to bring identification.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
