The simmering row over controversial plans to process North Yorkshire's mail in Leeds at weekends are set to come to a head next week.

Postal workers' union leaders, who have warned previously that postal services could be hit by a prolonged strike over the proposals, are to hold another meeting with Royal Mail management on Tuesday.

They hope to persuade managers to withdraw the plans, arguing that the changes would reduce the quality of service to customers, while also failing to cut costs.

The Evening Press revealed earlier this month that the Royal Mail wants to take all the 90,000 items collected within the York postcode area each weekend over to Leeds.

There, about 30,000 letters being sent to York postcode addresses would be separated from the rest and sent back to York for sorting, while the rest would be sorted in Leeds.

The Royal Mail said it was essential for it to make changes so as to operate as efficiently as possible, and insisted the proposals would not adversely affect the level of service to customers.

But the Communication Workers Union said it feared the changes threatened the quality of service to customers and would also affect workers' ability to earn vital overtime and bonuses.

Dave Dowling, chairman of the Union of Communication Workers York and North Yorkshire branch, said today that Royal Mail had for the first time given the union some information about what was being planned, and why.

But so far, the union remained convinced there would be serious implications for quality of service without savings for Royal Mail but would be seeking more information at the meeting next week.

"We have asked for further information, on a like-for-like comparison between ourselves and the office in Leeds," he said.

"Hopefully, we can convince them it would not be in the best interests of customers in the York postcode area."

He said it would otherwise remain open for the union to go through agreed procedures, including a meeting of members and possibly a public meeting to explain to the public their concerns.

A Royal Mail spokesman commented: "We are continuing our discussions with the unions over these proposals."

Updated: 08:19 Thursday, June 28, 2001