Postmasters vote in favour of pre-Christmas strikes

Postmasters have voted overwhelmingly in favour of escalated industrial action as part of their dispute over pay and conditions.

Members of the Irish Postmasters' Union voted by 85% to shut down 600 sorting offices throughout Ireland for two days every week between now and Christmas.

The move means there will be no deliveries in areas served by those offices on the days in question.

The IPU has accused management at An Post of failing to take postmasters' concerns seriously, saying it was forced into voting on industrial action.