The Communication Workers Union today (Friday) condemns Royal Mail's intention to impose a pay freeze on low-paid workers as "appalling".

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "Postal workers are first class - they don't deserve this second class treatment.

"Royal Mail posted its best financial results for years in December and out performed all of its financial targets. Rewarding staff with a pay freeze is appalling.

"Royal Mail is weathering the recession well and has told staff the value of the company has significantly increased, effectively raising hopes for a decent pay rise.

"The people who run Royal Mail have again misjudged an important decision. For Britain's highest-paid civil servant to impose a pay freeze on workers who earn less than the UK average wage is outrageous. This inequality will lead to strife.

"Royal Mail is attacking the public's postal service by reducing hours and services. Now this is a three-fold attack on services, jobs and terms and conditions which makes industrial conflict inevitable. The company must reconsider."