STRIKING POSTAL workers succeeded in closing Dundee’s main post office yesterday as they sought to inflict maximum damage on the company.

The main post offices in Dundee and Perth are likely to be closed today as Post Office Ltd struggles to find staff to replace those on strike.

Members of the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) moved to take advantage of the English bank holiday by staging a walk-out at a time when the company would find it hardest to persuade volunteers to man Crown office counters.

Dundee’s Meadowside office closed at 4pm, although Perth’s South Street office remained open.

The union’s tactic is to withdraw labour from Crown offices rather than the privately-owned sub-post offices.

CWU representative Tony Sneddon said there was 100% support for the strike.

Around 32 workers in Dundee and Perth are taking part in the industrial action, which lasts until 8.30am on Tuesday.

The strike is part of an ongoing dispute over the decision to close 75 post offices and transfer their functions to branches of WH Smith.

Mr Sneddon said, “There is still a big gulf between the two sides, and we believe this will be a catalyst to get the company back to the negotiating table.”

Post Office Ltd has in the past drafted in managers to man the tills at their Crown offices.

A company spokesman said, “It is also likely that the (Dundee Meadowside) branch will be closed on Saturday as a result of the strike.

“Post Office Ltd is doing everything in its power to minimise disruption to customers, and would apologise for any inconvenience caused by the CWU industrial action.

“The network of over 1600 sub-post offices in Scotland will be operating as normal, and customers can access services at these branches.”

He said it would be impossible to say if the Perth office would be closed over the weekend.

He added, “In some offices there may be fewer staff working than is normally the case, but we will be doing our best to provide the best possible service to customers.

“Sub-post offices around Scotland are totally unaffected by the strike action, so we expect the impact of the industrial action will be fairly minimal.”