The threat of fresh strike action starting tomorrow (29 October) still looms large as talks between Royal Mail and CWU have yet to reach an agreement.

More than 120,000 postal workers are set to walk out across three days, just a week after the initial two-day national strike that resulted in an estimated backlog of 30m letters.

Yolanda Noble, chief executive of Dsicmm, said she was "absolutely furious" that the problem had yet to be sorted.

She said: "It is bad news and the government really needs to get involved, while Peter Mandelson needs to stop sitting on the fence. If Royal Mail continues like this, it will ruin its own business."

Robert Keitch, chief of membership and brand at the Direct Mail Association, added it would be "a complete sodding disaster" if the current talks were to break down.

A CWU Spokesperson told PrintWeek: "Strike action is always a last resort. Workers do not get paid when striking, but it is a proportionate response to the attack from Royal Mail management. We hope to reach a resolution as soon as possible."