Anna Nascimento at Fletchers Freesias in St Sampson’s packs a box of flowers. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0843493)

FURTHER industrial action by UK postal workers could seriously damage the local flower industry, according to a spokesman.

Guernsey Postal Flowers Association chairman, Mark Fletcher, pictured, said the majority of businesses were experiencing a downturn of between 10 and 25% and some as much as 40%.

‘Some items can sit in containers for days and it doesn’t matter a great deal but you can’t do that with flowers,’ he said.

The Communication Workers Union in the UK began balloting members on Thursdayover the possibility of a national postal strike in protest against pay and job cuts at Royal Mail.

Mr Fletcher said he had written to the Office of Utility Regulation about what he said was Royal Mail’s abuse of its dominant position.

‘Ten weeks ago they started with lightning strikes, some unofficial, and it doesn’t give our customers a lot of confidence,’ said Mr Fletcher.

He said a proposal was before the OUR from Guernsey Post looking to pass on charges from April of between eight and 40% set to be imposed by Royal Mail when price by proportion charging will come in.

‘Our businesses are being damaged and now we are being asked to pay more for it too,’ said Mr Fletcher.

‘Our customers understandably might look elsewhere and, if they find an alternative, who’s to say they will ever come back.’