Only fair pay and job security can end waves of UK strikes, say unions

Calls from across communications, health, education and rail sectors come as dispute at Royal Mail escalates

Union leaders across the communications, rail, health and education sectors have said only fair pay and job security can end the UK's waves of strike action amid a fresh war of words in the bitter dispute at Royal Mail.

Dave Ward, the secretary general of the Communication Workers Union, which is midway through a series of strikes running up to Christmas, accused bosses of goading" members and creating a psychological attack" on postal workers.