Post Office workers have planned a fourth round of strike action on one of the busiest days of the year as they continue their battle to protect jobs, pay and branch closures.

The Communications Workers Union has organised walk-outs at all 373 Crown Post Offices across the UK on Tuesday May 7 – the day after Bank Holiday Monday.

The decision was made after 88 per cent of staff voted in favour of taking strike action in an ongoing dispute with the Post Office.

The national postal chain wants to move 70 branches into shops as it attempts to stem £40million annual losses. Included in the plans are the East Finchley branch in High Road and the Crown Post Office in Darkes Lane, Potters Bar.

CWU says the proposals place nearly 20 per cent of the UK Crown Office Network under threat, putting one job in five at risk.

Gary Watt, CWU representative for East Finchley, told the Times Series the strike is necessary to make the Post Office listen to their concerns.

He said: “The day after a bank holiday is always extremely busy because you have all the business that’s been held over from Monday. But what we’re hoping is that the Post Office will realise they’re dealing with this matter very inappropriately and will negotiate with the union.

“Ultimately this is about defending people’s pay and jobs and also about maintaining services given to the public.

“We regret the inconvenience this will cause to the public – we don’t do this with enthusiasm but we’re being forced to do it to protect the public’s services. Although people won’t be able to use the Post Office on Tuesday, unless we’re successful in our campaign they might not be able to use the Post Office at all."

The Post Office says it is “disappointed” by the further call for strike action and remains adamant it will not influence their franchising plans.

Kevin Gilliland, network and sales director at the Post Office, said: “It can only cause further disruption to customers and will not change Post Office plans to bring the Crown network which is currently losing £40m a year of public money back into profit. 

“Our plans to partner 70 Crown branches with a retailer will allow us to maintain Post Office services for customers on these high streets whilst reducing spend on public money.  We have over 10,000 branches that already operate successfully through franchises and agreements with retailers.”