PETERSFIELD Royal Mail staff have joined a series of strikes over threatened changes to working conditions.

The Communication Workers’ Union members picketed the Swan Street entrance to the Royal Mail offices.

The union argues the postal workers deserve a pay rise to match inflation-driven price increases.

A picket line spokesman said: “As well as pay, the strikes are equally about proposed changes to our working conditions.”

Royal Mail wants to introduce a seven-day-a-week parcel service, cut letter deliveries to five days, increase automated sorting and later finishing times to allow more next-day deliveries.

More strikes are planned on December 11, December 14, December 15, December 23 and Christmas Eve. Customers are advised to allow plenty of time for posting items.

For cards and presents to arrive by Christmas Day, second class items should be posted by December 19; first class by December 21.

Special deliveries and tracked items should be sent by December 22. Special deliveries with the company’s ‘Saturday guarantee’ can be sent on December 23.