London - A general strike paralyzed Royal Mail on Thursday, with unions launching a phased walkout involving up to 120,000 workers in a protest against job cuts.

The CWU union said the walkoff would last until Saturday. On Thursday, workers in distribution centres were called off their jobs. On Friday employees in address research offices were to follow, while on Saturday, mail carriers were to go on strike.

After last week's first strike action, Royal Mail management and the CWU have not yet agreed on a new round of talks.

Over the past five years, Royal Mail has slashed more than 60,000 jobs, with the CWU now warning the state-owned postal company against any further cuts and threatening more extended strike action if no new talks are held.

The CWU is worried that a further 60,000 jobs could go lost under Royal Mail's modernization drive. (dpa)