AS A retired member of the Communication Workers' Union, I back the postal workers if they are forced to go on strike (Oxford Mail, May 19).

I was a postman for 35 years and think what Royal Mail is doing, closing the Oxford Mail Centre and moving operations to Swindon, is ridiculous. Who thinks these things up, putting all these people on the dole? It will cost millions with all the machinery involved, plus all the compensation to staff.

A strike by staff will cost further millions, but who cares? Does the Royal Mail management? It doesn't seem like it.

Years ago, managers came up from the ranks, but now I think it's not what you know, it's who you know.

I think the Government should step in and stop this. I fail to see how it will improve mail deliveries, and it will cause trouble.

I hope the union will fight to the end. Good luck, chaps - stick it out.

Bill Yates

Ambleside Drive, Headington, Oxford