UNION members picketed at all four local offices in Waltham Forest today as the first national postal strike for two years got under way.

Two days of strikes were announced this week as talks broke down between the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Royal Mail.

Staff first walked out yesterday and more strikes are planned for a week's time in a move branded as 'appalling' by Royal Mail.

Details of the latest strikes and who will be involved are set to be announced in the next few days.

The walkouts were staged as CWU members' anger mounted over job cuts and changes to pay and conditions.

They also expressed outrage over Royal Mail's plans to hire up to 30,000 temporary workers in a bid to ease the strain caused by industrial action.

Darren O'Grady, of the Waltham Forest Trades Council (WFTC), described the scene at the picket outside the post office in Church Hill, Walthamstow, this morning.

He said: “The Walthamstow picket at the Church Hill office was lively and upbeat.

“Throughout the morning, a steady stream of people turned up to show their support for the striking postal workers.

“Donations were brought from unions representing teachers, fire brigade workers, transport workers as well as over £50 from commuters collected in an hour outside Walthamstow tube station.”

The Post Workers Support Group, initiated by WFTC, will be meeting on Thursday October 29 at the Rose & Crown on Hoe Street, Walthamstow to bolster the cause.

Residents in Waltham Forest have spoken out against the strikes, saying they cause unnecessary delays and damage the economy.

At its height, the London strike earlier this year saw a huge backlog of post being sorted in the street.

Special drop-off points have been set up for urgent council-bound mail in a bid to keep residents from facing further delays.