New post strikes planned in pay row

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The Communication Workers Union is expected to name new dates for industrial action after rejecting a 2.5% pay offer and warning that the Royal Mail's modernisation plans would lead to the loss of 40,000 jobs.

Workers have already held two 24-hour strikes in the past few weeks as well as a number of stoppages in a separate row involving pay and the closure of Crown Post Offices, the larger branches usually based on busy high streets, and the transfer of services to WH Smith stores.

A third walkout by Crown office workers was held on Monday and another stoppage will go ahead on Thursday, although the Royal Mail maintains only a handful of the 458 branches have been forced to close.

CWU national officer Andy Furey said: "The union has been left with no alternative but to take strike action. Post Office Ltd are unwilling to scrap their plans for a pay freeze and a pay cut for 80% of staff.

"Staff are also having to endure a mass cull of Crown Post Offices across the UK, with the loss of up to 1,500 jobs. If Post Office Ltd are unwilling to negotiate an adequate pay offer, further strike action will be announced."

The Royal Mail said it expected around 10 Crown offices to close because of Monday's strike.

A spokesman said: "Virtually all the Post Office network, more than 14,200 branches, was open for business and serving customers as normal this afternoon despite strike action by the CWU. More than 50% of staff are working as normal, an increase on last week's strike, supported by management volunteers."

The CWU said Monday's strike received "solid support" from its members.

The Royal Mail has stressed it has to modernise to deal with increased competition, arguing that business is already being lost to rival firms. The National Federation of SubPostmasters said its members, who run the majority of branches in the UK, were not involved in this week's post office strikes. Government ministers have so far refused to intervene in the postal dispute.