POSTAL workers were out in force today in Dawlish on the picket line as part of national strike action by the CMW union.

A group of Royal Mail staff were in Brunswick Street this morning, with colleagues nationally, protesting against proposals to change their terms and conditions and a two per cent pay increase.

Supporters in the town were honking car horns as they passed the workers manning the picket line.

The industrial action is being organised by the postal workers union the Communication Workers Union.

Dawlish CWU rep Marc Baker said: ‘We are getting a lot of support here in Dawlish from local people.’

He said the dispute was about both terms and conditions as well as a pay offer of a two per cent increase.

He pointed out: ‘Inflation is now above 10 per cent and it effectively means we are £81 a month worse off.

‘And they are asking us to lose our shift allowances.’

Proposed changes to sick pay are also in dispute along with Sunday working and longer delivery runs.

Marc explained: ‘The knock on effect is for businesses and people.

‘It is said letter volumes are dropping by seven to 10 per cent but we don’t believe it is that amount and we don’t think it is to that extent.’

Strike action, he said, was a ‘short term loss for a long term gain’.

Marc, who has worked for the Royal Mail for 24 years, said the workforce are not listened to.

He told the Gazette while on the picket line in Dawlish: ‘We understand the Royal Mail is changing, people want next day delivery and we respect that.

‘It is the terms and conditions we are worried about.

‘In effect we are looking at losing our shift allowance.’