Post Office staff join wave of strikes with five-day walkout

Post Office staff are the latest to join those taking part in a wave of strikes that will hit several industries in the run-up to Christmas.

The Communication Workers Union said around 3,500 workers would take part in its industrial action, hitting hundreds of Crown Post Offices.

They will join rail and air workers in disputes about issues such as jobs, pay, pensions and safety.

The five-day CWU strike is in protest at job losses, the closure of a final salary pension scheme and the franchising of Crown Post Offices.

The strike is due to get under way today with a demonstration outside the headquarters of the Government's Business Department.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union working for Southern Railway will strike on Monday and Tuesday in a long-running dispute over the role of conductors.

The firm's Aslef members are also working to rule in an ongoing dispute, the effects of which have caused chaos for Southern's 300,000 passengers.

Meanwhile, British Airways cabin crew who are members of the Unite union are due to strike on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

That action is due to a row over pay although talks aimed at resolving the dispute will be held at Acas today.

Other Unite members employed as baggage handlers and other ground staff by Swissport are set to walk out on Friday and Saturday over pay.

Acas is due to hold talks to resolve that dispute on Tuesday.

Union officials have denied the strikes have been co-ordinated in an attempt to bring down the Government.

The Sunday Times claimed that RMT president Sean Hoyle says unions are aiming to "bring down this bloody working-class hating Tory government".

Footage obtained by Sky News of Mr Hoyle addressing a Socialist Party rally shows him quoting former RMT general secretary Bob Crow in saying "if you spit on your own, just wipe it away, but if we all spit together, we can drown the ********".

RMT general secretary Mick Cash told the Press Association: "We are a serious trade union dealing with serious issues around safety on the railways. That is our absolute priority.

"RMT is not party to any Trotskyist conspiracy to bring down the Government. Our conductor members on Southern are on strike this week in defence of the safety of the travelling public and that remains the focus of the entire union."

CWU General secretary Dave Ward said his members were striking because a continuing closure programme which would mean that the Post Office will cease to exist on high streets.

Kevin Gilliland, Post Office, group network and sales director, said the action would affect fewer than 300 branches.

He said: "We are disappointed that, whilst we've been holding discussions with the union throughout this week and have made it clear we remain open to further, formal talks at the most senior level, they are continuing to cause concern to customers during the festive season."

The strikes do not involve Royal Mail staff, but the Daily Telegraph reported that some Royal Mail staff may refuse to cross picket lines.

Virgin Atlantic pilots will also work "strictly to contract" from 23 December and Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association and RMT on London Underground are continuing with an overtime ban.