POSTAL workers will stage a further 19 days of strike action over October, November and December in the busy run-up to Christmas in an ongoing row with Royal Mail over pay and conditions.

Strike action has been ongoing with staff striking on various days for the past two months, with industrial action taking place today (Friday) and Saturday, 1 October.

Aberystwyth postal workers took strike action accompanied by a donkey during a picket last month (pictured right).

Postal worker, Claire Evans Watkin, explained: “I brought the donkey Basil as a way of showing support for my colleagues, and to raise awareness of the industrial action, instead of just holding a banner, thought it would bring a bit of light humour to lighten the mood, it created a lot of conversation and publicity , which is what we want.”

Following this week’s action, a further 19 days of strike action have been announced, with the situation left unresolved.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has called strike action for 13, 20, 25 October, as well as Monday, 28 November.

These dates take in the periods around Black Friday and Cyber Monday - two of the biggest online sales days of the year.

Further dates have also been announced by the CWU for functional strike action for processing and distribution on 3, 9, 15, and 24 November and 1 December; for delivery on 4, 10, 16, and 25 November and 2 December; and network on 2, 8, 14, 23, and 30 November.

Royal Mail said the strike actions is “likely to cause significant disruption”, but would be “doing what we can to keep services running.”