Post Office workers to strike

Communication Workers Union spokesperson Andy Furey said Post Office workers did not want to strike, but were determined to "secure a fair settlement." He said he was optimistic about agreement being reached.

Watch: Post Office: Union pay demands are 'unrealistic'

Roger Gale from the Post Office said the Communication Workers Union were making "unrealistic" pay demands considering the fact that the company is losing £37 million a year.

The union was asking for a pay increase of three and a half percent last year, and three and a quarter percent this year, which Mr Gale said was "unaffordable."

Read: Post Office to stage fresh strikes over pay

The network and sales director at the Post Office has said he is "disappointed" after the Communication Workers Union said its members will launch a fresh wave of strikes from today. Kevin Gilliland added:

Crown post office workers are prepared to take prolonged industrial action to defend jobs and win a fair pay rise, the deputy general secretary of the Communications Workers Union said today.

Dave Ward added:

Read more: Post Office to stage fresh strikes over pay row

Workers at Crown post offices will today launch a fresh wave of strikes in an escalating row over jobs, pay and closures.

The Communication Workers Union said its members will walk out in the latest industrial action linked to plans to franchise or close more than 70 Crown sites - the larger branches usually found on high streets.

A UK-wide stoppage will be held today, staff in Scotland will strike on Monday, and union members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will stop work on Tuesday.