THE Post Office is facing fresh strike action by workers in a dispute over branch closures, job losses and changes to pensions.

The Communication Workers Union said it will announce industrial action following a meeting of its executive next week.

The union staged a 24-hour strike last month, complaining that the closure of so-called Crown offices had left the Post Office at "crisis point".

The union called on the Government to intervene to reverse the Post Office's proposals to close its defined benefit (DB) pension scheme following approval of the closure plans by the trustees in a five to four vote.

Union leaders said the scheme, which is in surplus, is planned to close from April 2017 affecting around 3,500 people.

Dave Ward, CWU general secretary, said: "The Post Office's decision will cost our members thousands of pounds in their retirement. It's wholly unjustified and we're seeing a publicly owned company effectively stealing money from people who have diligently saved for their retirement. The Government cannot wash its hands of this.

"The scheme itself has a surplus of £143 million and, in the Government's words, is the best funded scheme in the country.

"There is absolutely no need to close it. It's more cuts from this irresponsible management team who seem obsessed with managing decline instead of encouraging a thriving Post Office.

"We remain in dispute with the Post Office over these plans together with thousands of job losses and the privatisation of its flagship branches across the country which we are seeing this year. We will be announcing strike action following a meeting of our executive next week."

Unite said over 700 Post Office managers will also be taking further industrial action within the next month.

National officer Brian Scott called on the Post Office to reverse the decision to close the pension scheme, adding: "This closure will affect Post Office employees and will take away their long term benefits upon which they have invested many years of service. They stand to lose thousands of pounds in retirement income.

"The Government has a responsibility for this and needs to accept this responsibility as the shareholder.

"The decision gives us no alternative other than to undertake further industrial action, which will take place within the next month."

Mark Davies, communications and corporate affairs director at the Post Office, said: "We are disappointed that our unions are again talking about strikes when we continue to try to reach a constructive way forward through talks at Acas.

"We can reassure our customers that, if strikes go ahead, the vast majority of people working at Post Office branches would not be involved and almost all of our network will be open for business and operating normally.

"The Trustees of the Royal Mail Pension plan confirmed to us yesterday that, having considered all of the relevant information, they have agreed the company's proposal for the Post Office Section of the plan (the Defined Benefits Plan).

"The Trustee and the Post Office are now liaising closely on next steps and we will work together to communicate fully with affected staff."