Workers at Britain's state-owned Royal Mail voted overwhelmingly for a nation-wide strike on Thursday, escalating a dispute over pay and conditions which has caused widespread disruption to postal services. Members of the Communications Workers' Union voted by more than three to one in favour of the action on a 67 percent turnout, although they left open the possibility of further discussions with Royal Mail to try to avert a walkout and full work stoppage.
Regional postal strikes in recent weeks have caused large-scale interruptions to postal deliveries, with a damaging impact on businesses. By law, union bosses will have to provide seven days' notice of a strike.