Strike over WH Smith post plan

One in eight High Street WH Smith branches will have a post office

Some 18 High Street post offices were closed on Monday afternoon in a dispute over a decision to relocate 70 branches inside WH Smith stores.

The industrial action, by members of the Communication Workers' Union (CWU), was separate to a dispute which has brought disruption to Royal Mail.

The CWU claimed that "thousands" of staff were involved in Monday's strike.

But the Post Office said that just 18 of the UK's 548 crown post offices - main High Street branches - were shut.

"With the remainder of the 14,200 network completely unaffected it means that more than 99.9% of all post office branches were open throughout today and serving customers," a spokesman added.

WH Smith announced in July that Post Office franchises would open in 70 of its UK High Street stores, following a trial in six outlets.

The deal will see existing Post Office outlets relocated to WH Smith stores an average of 250 metres from the original site, the retailer has said.

Talks planned

Last week, a postal strike in the UK was called off to enable talks to go ahead between the CWU and Royal Mail.

CWU members had held a string of earlier strikes after rejecting a 2.5% pay deal and modernisation plans, which the union says could threaten 40,000 jobs.

Royal Mail has accused the union of ignoring the "harsh reality" of an open market.

Talks to resolve the dispute are now set to go ahead with the aim of reaching a deal by 4 September.