POSTAL workers have the support of residents in Wanstead and Woodford ahead of this week's nationwide strike – but opinion remains divided on whether industrial action is justified.

Tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday, Britain's postal network will grind to a halt as thousands of workers take to the picket lines over Royal Mail's “modernisation” plans.

The Communication Workers' Union (CWU), which called the strike, fears that changes, which include the introduction of automatic letter sorting machines, could lead to thousands of job losses.

But Royal Mail argues that it has to make changes in the face of annual loses of £170 million and a pension deficit of £6.8 billion. This week the Guardian hit the streets to ask the people of Wanstead and Woodford what they thought of the strike, and what their neighbourhood postie means to them.

Nigel Savage, 70, of Gordon Road, South Woodford, said: “I think a lot of them working for Royal Mail don't want to strike, and I know my local postman doesn't. I had to send a letter by recorded delivery so it arrives before the strike at the end of the week, and it's cost me a pound more.”

Pauline Pope, 63, of Orford Road, South Woodford, said: “My husband used to work for Royal Mail so I know how hard they work. I don't think people realise what a tough job they have, with the hours and everything. I don't agree with bringing in extra staff to cover the backlog – that's strike-breaking.”

Sue Sherry, 44, of Eagle Avenue, Snaresbrook, said:“I don't really think they've made it clear enough what they're striking for. In fact I've just had to pay an extra £5 to get my little letter guaranteed for delivery tomorrow. I don't see why I should have to pay all that extra money.”

Helen Bainbridge, 41, works at Vitalise in Chigwell High Road. She said: “It's really difficult to say without knowing the ins and outs of it. But the charity I work for relies lot on Royal Mail when sending out its Christmas mailings and raising donations through the post, so it is a bit worrying.”

Alan Wynne, 64, works in the Shrubberies, in George Lane, South Woodford. He said: “Working for a financial company, when you post legal documents sometimes taking several days to arrive is just no good. We try to use email now because it's more secure.”

Lynda Holmes, 57, of Grove Hill, South Woodford, said: “It's all very sad. It's a wonderful service and I'd hate to see it go. But they are really going to have to clear this huge backlog of mail, especially this close to Christmas. I wouldn't mind going down there and sorting it myself.”