I've even heard it said that the strikers are playing right into Peter Mandelsson's hands. Well, if this is the case, does it mean that workers standing up for their rights by voting with their feet should always be penalised for doing so by the bosses and politicians?

I think not, as not all workplaces are union busting McJobs - and thank goodness they aren't.

As for the picketline itself, it was once again a slightly apocalyptic vision of orange 'mood' lighting and burning Braziers to a soundtrack of variously Reggae, Hawkwind and The Prodigy, powered by Human legs via pedals.

The dancing youths didn't show this time, although I suspect the choice of soundtrack may have alienated them, as there wasn't as much pumping electronic beats this time, although the selection was just as interesting nonetheless.

Alas, I still saw far too many strike breakers hurtling dangerously fast around the corner from the depot (often too fast for me to capture their image with my camera) in their huge bright red trucks, apparently off to a sorting office elsewhere, possibly in Milton Keynes, where the lure of overtime has been stronger for some than showing any Working Class solidarity.

There was, however an interesting development in the form of a courier delivery van turning up to collect some mail from the depot - a new tactic on the part of strike breakers..?

How long will this strike go on..?

Well, 90% of postal workers can't all be wrong-headed in their decision to stay away from work, after suffering many humilations at the hands of their bosses and politicans, intent on trying to privatise this public service by the back door.

So, the answer to the that question must be, until the bosses and meddling politicians realise that the the majority of people who work for Royal Mail want to see it remain as it is - publically owned, and publically accountable, but with fairer conditions for its employees.

It wouldn't seem to be much to ask for you'd think, but the way some are carrying on, they don't seem to understand the simple concept that a public service is better left as just that.

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*N.B...
Please also see the previous article on the Cambridge Newswire for a more in-depth analysis of the reasons why this strike is happening.