Eleventh-hour bargaining tries to avert postal strike

Postal unions and the Postal Service resumed bargaining Sunday with federal mediation, hoping to avert a nationwide mail strike at midnight Monday. Agreement with two smaller unions appeared close. Postmaster General William Bolger has promised to waive federal private-express statutes if a strike occurs , to allow others than the Postal Service to deliver mail. The Justice Department threatens to use all crimina l and civil laws available to punish strikers.