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Royal Mail staff in Merseyside stormed out on strike today over claims a manager made a "racist" comment to a Muslim worker.

Employees at the Bootle and Seaforth delivery office set up a picket line outside their headquarters on Trinity Industrial Estate in Bootle.

It follows an incident this morning, sources told the ECHO, when staff claim a manager asked an alleged racist question to the postman.

He was said to be "very upset" over the incident.

His colleagues said he had gone home on compassionate leave.

This morning, around 50 Royal Mail staff were gathered outside their HQ.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Meetings were held between management and union representatives, but so far, the dispute has not been resolved.

Staff are expected to go out on strike again tomorrow morning.

A female manager is said to have asked the worker, "do you like women?" after she instructed him to carry out a task, workers claim.

The ECHO understands the remark was badly received, possibly inferring to the negative stereotypes of Muslim women being 'under the foot' of Muslim men.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

This afternoon, staff were refusing to return to work while the manager was on the same shift.

The Muslim employee is believed to be very popular among his colleagues.

A spokesman for the Communication Workers Union said: "We are representing our member as we do in any situation like this."

Royal Mail bosses slammed the strike, describing it as "unballoted."

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A spokesman said: "We are disappointed that unballoted industrial action is taking place today at Bootle and Seaforth delivery office.

"This covers the L20, L21 and L30 postcode areas.(Bootle, Seaforth and Litherland)

"We sincerely apologise to customers in these areas for any disruption to their mail services.

"The customer service point is open as usual for customers to collect items for which we have left a 'Something for You' card.

“Mail collections from postboxes in the area may also be affected this afternoon so customers are advised to post mail outside of the area, drop mail off at any main Post Office branch or at the delivery office.

“Royal Mail is fully committed to resolving our colleagues' concerns in co-operation with the Communication Workers Union (CWU)."