Postal protest in the high street
Workers protested across the country and handed out thousands of leaflets against plans to close post offices and transfer services to WH Smith stores.
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which is already balloting hundreds of workers for industrial action over the move, and supporters picketed WH Smith stores across the country.
They also urged shoppers to boycott the high street giant. Thousands of leaflets were handed out warning that staff will lose their jobs and be replaced by inexperienced employees on "poverty" wages.
The protests were staged in Swansea, Slough, Altrincham, Ashton-under-Lyne and Hammersmith in West London.
In Ashton-under-Lyne field official for CWU Keiran Quinn said: "We had the local Labour MP and local councillors joining the protest.
"The public response has been magnificent. We got a fair few of the public to boycott WH Smith."
The CWU has also collected about 7,000 signatures from people in Ashton-under-Lyne and more than 3,000 from people in Altrincham since last month. The petition will be handed to either WH Smith or the Post Office or both organisations, added Mr Quinn.
The union claimed that WH Smith in Swansea was advertising the Post Office jobs for 10p an hour above the minimum wage.
Post Office director Byron Roberts, said: "The partnership between Post Office Ltd and WH Smith is all about keeping Post Office branches open, providing all current services, in new premises and with improved facilities.
"The small number of branches run directly by Post Office Ltd, in high street locations, lose £50 million every year. This type of partnership reduces those losses without removing the services that our customers rely on."
