Last-ditch talks to avert a national postal strike are to be held this week.

Leaders of the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) will meet Royal Mail managers today and tomorrow in a bid to resolve a pay row.

The union is balloting 160,000 workers on whether to walk out in protest at an offer said by Royal Mail to be worth 14.5 per cent.

CWU said the offer had more strings attached than the Philharmonic Orchestra.

Monday September 15, 2003