POSTAL workers at the Bridgwater Royal Mail depot in Friarn Street have walked out this morning in protest over the dismissal of a colleague.

Around 80 workers are on an unofficial strike outside the gates of the depot.

The disrution means that mail services have been affected in TA5, TA6 and TA7 postcode areas.

Dave Chapple, Communications Workers Union representative, told the Mercury: "A young woman has been dismissed for sick absence and it was totally unfair. It is the worst managerial decision in all my 35 years as a postman.

"80% of the staff are out on unofficial strike because we just felt so strongly about it. We are waiting for somebody to come out to talk to us, however long it takes."

The manager of the Bridgwater Royal Mail depot was unavailable for comment. 

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "Royal Mail is disappointed at the unballoted action which took place this morning at Bridgwater Delivery Office in Friarn Street, which delivers to the TA5-TA7 postcode areas.

"We apologise to customers for the disruption to their mail services and we are doing all we can to minimise this disruption.

"Royal Mail is fully committed to the process of trying to resolve concerns of postal workers based in Bridgwater by following the national jointly agreed framework with the Communication Workers Union (CWU).”