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Members of the Communication Workers Union have voted overwhelmingly to approve strike action as talks with Post Office Ltd. over pay and job security have recently stalled. The union circulated strike ballots after a pay rise which was due in April 2012 remains outstanding, despite the fact that other employees in the network have received their pay increases.

Andy Furey, CWU's official for Post Office members said in a release on CWU's website: "The Crown network brings significant revenues into the business and is crucial to the effective delivery of many products and services. The company has given pay rises to other employees and now it's time they played fair and awarded a pay rise to Crown office staff."



Post Office Ltd. has also recently announced their intent to close 70 of the remaining 373 Crown post offices and increase franchised partnerships with other retailers.



More than 3,500 CWU members returned ballots, with 88% in favor of strike action. The union has not yet issued a notice for strike action; a call for strike would require seven days' notice. Dave Ward, deputy general secretary of CWU said, "There hasn't been so much as the pretence of negotiations from Post Office Ltd and that must change if strike action is to be avoided. We are now asking the company to come to the table to discuss pay and job security for these workers and avoid the need for strike action."



For more information as this story evolves, check back in this space or visit the CWU's website at www.cwu.org