Royal Mail workers will go on strike for the first time since it was privatised, trade union Communication Workers Union (CWU) has confirmed.

Workers have voted in favour of taking strike action on Thursday (October 19) against their employers for the first time since Royal Mail was privatised in 2013.

Members of trade union CWU voted 89% in favour of strike action in a 110,000 balloted count with a turnout of 73% - which easily passed the government's controversial Trade Union Act thresholds.

The union's deputy general secretary, Terry Pullinger, said: "It is highly disappointing that after 18 months of negotiations including external mediation that we have reached this point.

"Royal Mail Group management have clearly moved away from the spirit and intent of our agreements and the empty promises of privatisation, and have suffered a huge vote of no confidence from their employees and CWU members as a consequence.

"People are extremely angry and will now express that by overwhelmingly supporting this strike action in order to shift Royal Mail Group from their entrenched position, protect themselves and this great public service."

General Secretary Dave Ward said: “This is a watershed dispute that will determine not only our member’s pensions, jobs and pay but also the future of the service.

“Postal workers delivered a massive yes vote for strike action and we are determined to take whatever steps are necessary to deliver an agreement that will protect and enhance our member’s terms and conditions and improve the range of services on offer to customers.

“As well as this call to action, the CWU will now launch a major campaign to gain public and political support for postal workers. This is your service. We must work together to save it.”

The main issue which caused the strike action is the change in the pension scheme from March 2018 which CWU argues it is an "inferior" one and will leave them in "pensioner poverty".

The union is also in dispute over pay and delivery office closures.

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