More than 100,000 postal workers are set to walk out on Friday in a dispute over pay, in what is being described as the biggest strike of the summer so far.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said its members are taking industrial action for a “dignified, proper pay rise” after they voted in favour by 97.6% in a ballot.
The strike on Friday will be followed by further stoppages on Wednesday August 31, Thursday September 8 and Friday September 9. There were substantial turnouts across the North East at picket lines, including the Forth Street depot in Newcastle and the Royal Mail Delivery Office in Wearfield, Sunderland.