Next week, after a vote from their union, thousands of Royal Mail workers are set to go on strike. This week, the Royal Mail website beat them to the punch:

We question whether the Communications Works Union is behind the shutdown, but one Reg reader thinks otherwise. "Looks like the CWU have got their way and convinced the royalmail.com website to join the strike too," he says. And the Twitterati seem to agree.

And there you have it. ®

Related stories

• Royal Mail promises 2nd class service on postcode data (10 December 2009)

  https://www.theregister.com/2009/12/10/ordnance_survey_data_postcode_paf/

• Revolting postmen force early Windows 7 launch (19 October 2009)

  https://www.theregister.com/2009/10/19/windows_7_early_arrivals/

• Web firms seek Royal Mail rivals with GSOH for delivery fling (9 October 2009)

  https://www.theregister.com/2009/10/09/royal_mail_national_strike_online_retailers/

• Amazon eyes wander as Royal Mail strike looms (8 October 2009)

  https://www.theregister.com/2009/10/08/amazon_royal_mail_strike_contract/