Small businesses 'affected by postal strikes'

Date: 21st September 2009

Britain's partnerships and sole traders could be affected by ongoing localised postal strikes, business experts suggested today (September 21st).

According to GrowthBusiness.co.uk, the nation's smaller firms were already "suffering major disruption" as a result of the industrial actions, with many important letters having been delayed.

This includes many cheques from customers of these businesses - with the late deliveries therefore exacerbating the cash flow problems being experienced by many organisations.

The strikes have come about due to postal workers' concerns over the future of the Royal Mail, which has been suffering recently due to the rise of the internet.

Ballots have been sent out by the Communication Workers Union over the possibility of a national co-ordinated strike, the results of which will be known early next month.

Nick Britton, editor of GrowthBusiness.co.uk, said: "A nationwide walk-out would put critical strain on tens of thousands of companies which are already labouring under tough trading conditions and cash flow problems.

"Unfortunately, it looks as though businesses are going to hear a lot more of that old excuse for late payment, 'the cheque's in the post'."