A SECOND strike by thousands of Post Office workers scheduled for next Monday, on Halloween, is likely to affect Crown post offices in the Cotswolds.

The strike, on October 31 in a dispute over jobs, pensions and closures, will be the second strike organised by the Communications Workers Union (CWU).

The first strike was held on September 15, where CWU members were joined by Post Office managers who are members of Unite. ‎

The CWU are striking over job losses, the closure of the DB pension scheme and the closure and privatisation of Crown post offices. 

Further action in the run-up to Christmas has not been ruled out by the union.

The dispute affects 3,500 Post Office staff working in Crown post offices, admin and supply chain roles across the UK. 

Three meetings have taken place at ACAS but progress has been made.

Dave Ward, CWU general secretary, said: “The stakes have never been higher for the future of the Post Office, its workers and the communities they serve.

"The Post Office is at crisis point and the management and government need to listen to the workforce.

"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.

"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."