Post Office staff vote to strike on Christmas Eve

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It's over a demand that workers stay on shift until 4pm, when previously they have been allowed home at lunchtime on Christmas Eve

Post Office counter workers have voted to strike at 20 branches in Greater Manchester on Christmas Eve.

From 12.30pm on December 24, action could affect ‘Crown’ branches - of which there are 20 in Greater Manchester - and 300 nationwide.

This includes the depots in Spring Gardens and Albert Square.

Communication Workers Union members balloted to strike earlier this month over bosses’ demands they work until 4pm on Christmas Eve.

In previous years, they have been allowed home at lunch time. The Post Office have stressed it affects less than 3 per cent of its 11,500 depots.

A Post Office spokesman said it has contingency plans in place to ensure that the majority of Crown branches are open until 4pm on Christmas Eve.

He said workers were always paid until 5.30pm even when they were allowed home early.

They also offered a £50 good will payment to compensate for the change this year.

Roger Gale, General Manager, Post Office Crown Network: said: “We hope that people working in Crown branches will put our customers first and choose not to take strike action.

“The vast majority of our 11,500 branches will be unaffected if strike action takes place and we have contingency plans to keep the majority of Crown branches open so customers can pick up their parcels, withdraw cash and access other Post Office services.

“We recognise this would be a change to the usual working patterns so we are offering time off in lieu, as well as a payment to thank them for their efforts. Around 150 Crown branches have external ATMs which will be fully stocked for customers to withdraw cash from both Post Office Card and partner bank accounts."