ROYAL MAIL bosses are “intimidating, gaslighting and mocking” their own staff online, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) charged today.

The union strongly rejected claims from the privatised firm that a “culture of intimidation is leading to wholly unacceptable behaviour” on picket lines nationwide, as striking workers fight for the future of the 500-year-old service.

The CWU, which earlier this week held another 48-hour strike over the company’s attempts to “impose gig-economy-style working conditions and more cuts to real-terms pay,” stressed that pickets have been peaceful during the five-month dispute. 

In a letter to general secretary Dave Ward, the company alleged more than 100 incidents involving “violence and harassment” and said 35 cases have been reported to the police.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “This behaviour has no place in any civilised workplace. The direct intervention of CWU’s general secretary is needed to end this culture of intimidation, including many incidents by CWU reps.

“More than 10,000 front-line employees chose to work on each of the last two days of strike action, and with numbers increasing with each passing day, they should feel confident that they can do so safely and without the risk of harm.

“We have zero tolerance for bullying or harassment.”

But a union spokesperson rubbished the allegations, saying they are “as embarrassing as they are untrue.

“For a chief executive who spends his every waking hour, intimidating, gaslighting and mocking our members online, to have the front to target others for wholly legal and friendly picketing is beyond a joke.

“Prior to every round of strikes, the union has reminded members to turn out in record numbers whilst being peaceful and respectful — our members and reps have done us proud.

“Our members want to go back to work and save Christmas for 32 million households, but they will not bow down to a culture of intimidation.”

More strikes are planned in coming weeks, including on Christmas Eve, while the union has promised Britain’s “biggest ever strike rally” in London next Friday.

The latest salvo in the increasingly bitter dispute came after the TUC accused Royal Mail chief executive Simon Thompson of having answers written for him during a live webcam interview for BBC Breakfast on Thursday. 

Reflections in glass behind Mr Thompson appear to show someone writing on a whiteboard off camera.