This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37819763

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Crown Post Office staff go on 24-hour strike Crown Post Office staff go on 24-hour strike
(about 3 hours later)
Thousands of staff at Crown Post Offices have gone on a fresh strike in a dispute over jobs, pensions and branch closures.Thousands of staff at Crown Post Offices have gone on a fresh strike in a dispute over jobs, pensions and branch closures.
Members of the Communication Workers Union and Unite began their 24-hour walkout at 3am. Members of the Communication Workers Union and Unite began their 24-hour walkout at 03:00 GMT on Monday.
The second strike in two months affects Crown Post Offices, which are the larger branches usually located in high streets. It is the second strike in two months and unions said there could be further industrial action before Christmas.
Post Office bosses said most of its network of branches would not close. The latest strike affects larger branches, but the Post Office said most of its network would not close.
The unions said a 24-hour strike strike in September was strongly supported. The two unions estimated that more than 3,000 workers would take part in Monday's strike - although neither have yet confirmed the final turnout.
Along with this latest walk-out, members are also holding a rally at Post Office Headquarters in Central London during the day.
The Post Office said 118 of the 305 Crown Post Offices were closed, but 99% of the 11,600 Post Offices remained open.The Post Office said 118 of the 305 Crown Post Offices were closed, but 99% of the 11,600 Post Offices remained open.
'Willing to talk'
The action is focused on Crown Post Offices - which are the larger branches usually located in high streets - and workers are also holding a rally at Post Office Headquarters in central London.
Speaking at the rally, Brian Scott, Unite union officer for the Post Office, said members would not be afraid to walk out again if needed.
He told the BBC: "We are hoping the Post Office sees sense and gets around the table, but they can't reject everything we put forward.
"It may well be that there has to be other action in the run-up to Christmas, but we are willing to talk."
Crown Post Office, administration and supply chain workers are involved in the dispute about the closure of the final salary pension scheme, job losses and the franchising of Crown Post Offices.Crown Post Office, administration and supply chain workers are involved in the dispute about the closure of the final salary pension scheme, job losses and the franchising of Crown Post Offices.
'Crisis point' 'Constructive'
Communication Workers Union general secretary Dave Ward said: "The stakes have never been higher for the future of the Post Office, its workers and the communities they serve. Communication Workers Union general secretary Dave Ward said: "We have had great support from our members and the public on today's strike.
"The Post Office is at crisis point and the management and government need to listen to the workforce. "We are now calling upon the government and the company to bring all stake holders together to thrash out a new future for the Post Office that is more than a glorified closure programme."
"Staff and the public are seeing little more than a glorified closure programme from the Post Office and it cannot survive by simply cutting costs. The Post Office said moving post office services into retail outlets means longer opening hours.
"We are calling for the government, as the owner of the Post Office, to step in, halt the cuts and work with us to develop a proper strategy that will secure the future of the service." Speaking before the strike, Kevin Gilliland, the Post Office's network and sales director, said: "The Post Office wants to reach a constructive way forward through talking with our unions.
The Post Office says moving post office services into retail outlets means longer opening hours. "More than 99% of people in the UK live within three miles of a Post Office branch, but we must make changes to safeguard that level of service for future generations.
"The Post Office is committed to keeping its branches at the heart of communities. But we must also respond to changing customer needs."