The Communication Workers Union's plans to strike over proposals to modernise Royal Mail have been criticised.

Holding a strike will not help to modernise Royal Mail, the company has claimed in a statement.

Responding to the announcement that the Communication Workers Union (CWU) is taking action in London, the postal services firm claimed the threat was "completely at odds" with claims from the body that it supports modernisation.

Royal Mail added in a statement that such a strike would only serve to "hurt our customers" and in turn lead them to seek out parcel delivery alternatives.

"We call on the unions to honour fully existing agreements, including the agreement the union signed in the presence of the Trades Union Congress in 2007, which have led to the successful introduction of new ways of working in units throughout the rest of the UK," the company added.

The CWU is hoping that up to 10,000 workers will take part in the 24-hour strike, which is set to take place on Friday (June 19th).

Article Added: 15/06/2009 09:28:24