British Postal Workers Begin 48-Hour Strike

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said more than 130,000 staff walked out at midday, bringing many post offices, deliveries and collections to a standstill.

The Royal Mail asked households and companies to avoid posting letters during the strike to prevent a huge backlog.

"Customers should expect severe disruption to all postal services during the strikes and for a significant period afterwards," it said on its Web site.

A second walkout is due to start on Monday and further weekly strikes take place from Oct. 15.

CWU members voted to strike in protest at a "below inflation pay offer" and plans to cut 40,000 jobs through automated mail-sorting.

Royal Mail said modernisation was the only way it could improve pay, protect pensions and deliver customer service was by modernising.

The company is fighting private competition after losing its 350-year monopoly on postal services last year. The growth of email, text messages and the purchase of vehicle tax discs and television licences online have also dented profits.

The government urged both sides to try to reach an agreement in talks. "The dispute is for the Royal Mail management and the unions to resolve," the Department for Business said.