SUFFOLK's postal services may suffer with the threat of the first national strike by postal staff for 30 years after dates were set today for a ballot of 180,000 workers in a row over jobs.

SUFFOLK's postal services may suffer with the threat of the first national strike by postal staff for 30 years after dates were set today for a ballot of 180,000 workers in a row over jobs.

But a spokesman for Consignia, the parent company of Royal Mail, said that talk of a strike in the county was "premature".

"It is unfortunate that union has called for a strike ballot as it is completely unnecessary and will serve to undermine our customers confidence at a critical time for Royal Mail and Consignia."

Members of the Communication Workers Union will start voting on August 27, with the result due on September 12.

The union has claimed that the employment conditions of 7,000 cleaners and engineers due to transfer from Consignia to a joint venture with Balfour Beatty will worsen.

General secretary Bill Hayes said loyal and long serving workers were having their pensions threatened, job security put at risk and union representation put into jeopardy.

Deputy general secretary John Keggie said that if the plans went ahead, every postal worker would be open to "shoddy treatment."

Consignia has denied the union claims of worsening employment conditions and said it had given assurances about union recognition and pensions.

Any strike would be the first involving delivery, counters and parcels staff since 1971 when there was a six week walkout over pay.