SOUTH Africans can expect delays with their postal deliveries as thousands of post office workers are on strike.

The strike by about 9000 workers affiliated to the Communications Workers Union (CWU) enters its second day today.

Workers picketed outside the post office gate near Durban station in KwaZulu-Natal, preventing post going out or coming in. Some carried placards demanding a 6percent wage increase.

CWU provincial chairperson Cecil Mokhantso said the workers were not disputing the salary negotiations that were under way, but the discrepancies between salaries of white and black workers.

"The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration gave us a certificate showing a big salary abnormality between black and white workers, which they said we must address."

He said some white workers earned twice as much as black colleagues doing the same job.

Post office officials were meeting union representatives and were not available for comment.

CWU spokesperson Gallant Roberts said the discrepancies in salaries had been going on for more than ten years.

"We have been raising this with the employer for a long time, and every time they told us there was no money."

He said workers were protesting outside their respective workplaces and marches would take place next week Wednesday.