BUSINESSES in North East Lincolnshire could face major delays to their post services if postal workers strike against the Government's plans to privatise Royal Mail.
Unions have warned that strike action is "inevitable" over the bid to sell up to 90 per cent of Royal Mail.
Business Secretary Vince Cable has cleared the way for a stock market flotation; a sale which he argued is a "practical and logical" decision.
He said: "The time has come for the Government to step back from Royal Mail."
However, the move has been strongly opposed by unions and Labour MPs – who claim stamp prices will go up and rural services to remote locations might be axed.
The Communications Workers Union's general secretary Billy Hayes believes any sell-off would "destroy postal services" and warned that strike action was now "inevitable".
Royal Mail, which has been in public ownership for 378 years, is set to be floated on the London stock market – with an expected price tag of between £2-3billion.
Under the proposals, the Government will sell a 'majority stake' in the business before next April.
Around 10 per cent of the company will be given to postmen in a bid to sweeten the deal, with shares worth around £1,500 each expected to be handed out for free.
Prime Minister David Cameron insists there is "widespread support around the country to modernise this great public service."
But a poll commissioned by the Bow Group think-tank found that two-thirds of the public oppose the privatisation.
Labour's business spokesman Chuka Umunna said: "There is every sign that this treasured national institution is being sold off on the cheap to quickly get income to a Treasury whose economic strategy has failed."
