POSTAL workers in Swindon are preparing for possible industrial action in the New Year following the news that their employer Consignia is to axe up to 30,000 jobs over the next 18 months.

Leaders of Britain's postal workers have threatened a national strike after Consignia chief executive John Roberts told a committee of MPs that tens of thousands of posts could be cut as the group moves to reduce costs in the face of increasing competition and huge losses.

This comes on top of a reduction of around 10,000 in the organisation's 200,000 staff over the past year.

The main postal centre in Dorcan, which employs 971 sorters and delivery people, is a 24-hour operation.

Consignia spokesman Don Veal, who noted that more than five million items of mail a day were handled at the Dorcan site, would not be drawn on the possible impact of the review on the depot, or on possible consequences of industrial action.

"But Christmas postal services will not be affected," he said.

"At this stage we do not know how many job losses will impact on local situations.

"However, it is worth noting that the industry does lose around 20,000 people a year through natural wastage.

"With regard to the national ballot we do consider the union's actions at this time very disappointing."

The CWU is considering a strike ballot after Christmas unless Consignia withdraws the huge job cuts.

The union has given the postal group until 1pm today to remove the threat of such a large-scale cutback.

Deputy general secretary John Keggie said that if his demand was not met he would recommend to his union's executive that there be a ballot for national strike action.

The development followed widespread anger among postal workers to Mr Roberts' statement to MPs on the Trade and Industry Select Committee when he disclosed the figure during questioning on Tuesday night.

Mr Keggie has been in meetings with postal workers in London and has been trying to arrange urgent talks with Consignia executives.

"There is a feeling of absolute disgrace and anger about yet another slap in the face for postal staff," he said.

"People now don't know if they will be in a job next year. Mr Roberts has caused a great deal of concern among the workforce."

The union warned earlier this year that up to 15,000 jobs could be lost under plans to make £1.2 billion of savings.

Mr Keggie said he was astonished that Mr Roberts had not mentioned the 30,000 figure during talks throughout this week on job security.

"Cutting 30,000 jobs would be a huge chunk of the workforce.," he said. "It is extremely disappointing that the board has refused to share this kind of information with the union.

"It is a Harry Potter figure and it is not on. There is no prospect of the union accepting this level of cuts."

The staffing reductions have been forced on Consignia by tumbling profits, which saw the company record a £281 million loss in the first six months of this year, with operating losses quadrupling to £100 million.