Alan Crowe MLC, Chairman of Isle of Man Post Office said: “It is disappointing that Mr Pullinger, on behalf of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), has confirmed strike action two days ahead of further talks, despite it being made clear to him by the Industrial Relations Officer that he has until April 21, 2011 to take action. For weeks the union have publicly said that „the last thing in the world they want is to strike? and have pressed for further talks. Mr Pullinger could have easily taken this decision after the meeting on Wednesday. It seems that the CWU has been determined to pursue this damaging course of action from the very outset, having first threatened this in June 2010 before the first discussions with management ever took place, causing uncertainty for our customers and staff ever since. The CWU position throughout all of the talks is to have new money added to pay and this is impossible with the current freeze on public sector pay budgets in place. This is a clear indication that it fails to grasp the financial situation the Island and Government is facing.” Mike Kelly, Chief Executive, Isle of Man Post Office said: “We understand and appreciate that a pay freeze is difficult for all our staff to accept, however we continue to urge our staff, who are CWU members, not to strike regardless of the way they voted. Such action will only damage the business, customer and public support and jeopardise jobs. It will not change the Government?s policy of a freeze on public sector pay budgets. Now we have been notified of the strike action the CWU plans to take, we will finalise our contingency plans. These will be made available tomorrow (Tuesday).” -Ends-