[Pierre]

strikes only work when the nation, or company, is so inconvenienced by the action that they have no choice but to capitulate.

The miners didn't win because we imported our coal to meet demand.

A mail strike, for personal mail such as this, will not be such an inconvenience. Also they don't have overwhelming public support. From what I can gauge most people I have spoken to or read about, think they need to join the rest of us in the 21st century.

So two days this week, and three days next week will not achieve their aims. They will need prolonged action and the question then is are the workforce really up for that kind of action.

Running up to Christmas? not being paid of 3 out of 5 days???

I was just listening to a women on radio 2, she works 6-2 earns £18,000. Not bad hours, not bad money. When asked what she was striking for she couldn't really give a compelling answer. "it's not the money I'm happy with my pay, it's the conditions and I want to make sure I keep my job" She doesn't know if her job is under threat!!??

I predict that most of the Royal Mail workforce will not have the stomach for major industrial action in the run up to Christmas, this wont last too long.