POSTAL workers in Oxfordshire are striking again today in a long-running dispute over pay and conditions.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) at the Royal Mail are going on strike today and tomorrow, on Black Friday, one of the busiest days of the year for delivery companies.

A series of strikes is also planned in December, including Christmas Eve, in one of the longest-running disputes of a year dominated by stoppages.

READ MORE: University of Oxford lecturers strike in dispute over pay

Today workers protested in front of delivery offices in Oxford, Bicester, Banbury and Faringdon, and set up picket lines from the early hours of the morning.

Royal Mail says it has made its “best and final offer” aimed at resolving the dispute, including “extensive improvements” made during negotiations with the CWU, such as an enhanced pay deal of up to 9 per cent over 18 months, offering to develop a new profit share scheme for employees, and making voluntary redundancy terms more generous.

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “We are disappointed that instead of reaching a compromise to avoid major disruption, Royal Mail have chosen to pursue such an aggressive strategy.

“We will not accept that 115,000 Royal Mail workers – the people who kept us connected during the pandemic, and made millions in profit for bosses and shareholders – take such a devastating blow to their livelihoods.

“We urge every member of the public to stand with their postie, and back them like never before.”

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi