CWU Regional Secretary Erin Massey says posties all set for strike

Ms. Massey, however, said an 11th hour pay deal was not an impossibility, although she said that this was in the hands of Royal Mail.

"All is set to go ahead as planned, although no one can ever rule out a last minute turnaround, that ultimately lies with Royal Mail. The CWU have always been prepared to negotiate for a fair reasonable pay deal but will do everything necessary to protect our members' Terms and Conditions which are under threat, masked as modernisation," said the regional trade union chief.

Local postal workers are scheduled to commence the first of four planned days of industrial action on Friday.

The decision to strike follows the CWU's recent ballot for strike action, which saw members vote by 97.6 per cent on a 77 per cent turnout to take action.

Three further days of strike action will follow on Wednesday, August 31, Thursday, September 8 and Friday, September 9.

The CWU has said it is seeking an 'adequate pay award that covers the current cost of living increases for our members'.

Pickets will be manned across the north while the industrial action is ongoing.

Ms. Massey told the 'Journal': "Every Royal Mail Delivery/Sorting Office in NI is set to have a picket outside. We also have the Rally in Belfast planned for Wednesday, August 31 at 1pm at the City Hall, which is a Regional event for BT/Openreach/Royal Mail/Post Office Crown and Admin, a total of just under 5000 NI members throughout."

Derry posties to strike for better pay over four days