Postal staff vote to go on strike in cuts row

POSTAL workers have voted to go on strike in a row over post office closures, job cuts and pensions.

Representatives from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said the Post Office was “on the path to extinction” as the ballot saw a majority of 83.2% vote in favour of industrial action.

But the Post Office said only half of CWU members had participated in the ballot, meaning just 41% of members had voted in favour of the strike.

The company said 97% of its network of 11,600 branches would not be involved in any industrial action but added that it would work to minimise disruption in those affected.

The planned action comes amid concerns that public funding for the PO has been withdrawn, revenues have stalled and staff and customers are “paying the cost”, the union said.

The Post Office called for “continued dialogue” with the CWU.

“We will give serious consideration to any ideas that our unions put forward, and urge them to continue to work with us,” it said.