LONDON officials of the postal workers union will meet today to decide whether to press ahead with Christmas strike action in protest over the living allowance paid to employees in the capital.

The meeting comes as the deadline looms on Wednesday for agreement between national negotiators of the Communication Workers Union and Royal Mail over changes to working practices.

The London division of the CWU has made it clear that it is unhappy with the slow progress of the national talks. Negotiators are hopeful that an agreement will be reached on new working practices, but they are also concerned that the London weighting will be a sticking point.

It is thought that Royal Mail may be willing to increase the rate for some groups of postal workers, but it has said that it has not got any more money for substantial increases. In October it introduced a rise of £300 in the rate to take the payment to outer London workers to £2,667 and for those in inner London to £3,784. The CWU wants a flat rate of £4,000.

London officials have already told the national union that they want to strike on December 19 and 22, two of the busiest Christmas posting days, unless they are happy with changes to the London weighting payment.