Northern Ireland postal workers were today due to join a massive UK-wide protest against the Government’s plans to part-privatise the Royal Mail.

Members of the Communication Workers Union from across the province were travelling to a rally in London before lobbying MPs as part of a campaign against selling off part of the postal group.

A Commons motion opposing the sale has been signed by 139 Labour MPs.

The protest comes as Royal Mail chairman Allan Leighton and chief executive Adam Crozier are due to be questioned about the future of Royal Mail at a hearing of the cross party Business Select Committee.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph today, CWU regional secretary, Lawrence Houston, said a large number of local postal workers will attend.

“There is going to be a fair delegation coming from all over Northern Ireland and, in the context of the rest of the UK, all parts of the province will be well represented,” he said.

“We would hope that this event will help to scupper plans to sell off parts of Royal Mail to a private operator, which we believe will threaten the universal service obligation and could mean the loss of a large number of jobs.”

Mr Houston said that a march was due to start at Westminster at 11am, after which a public meeting was scheduled in one of the large halls.

He added that CWU members are hoping for an opportunity to discuss the matter with local MPs.

Labour MPs and union leaders reacted angrily last night after it was revealed a Bill to sell off part of the Royal M ail is to be introduced in Parliament on Thursday. One Labour MP said he was “astonished” at the move and warned it would unleash “mass opposition” in Parliament and among the public.

Gordon Brown will now have to tackle the biggest back-bench revolt since he became Prime Minister as well as opposition from postal workers and the prospect of a major union disaffiliating from Labour in protest.

Opponents of the Government’s controversial plans had expected the Bill to be brought forward nearer to Easter, but it will be published on Thursday.