A DEPUTY mayor has thanked the public for their support after the latest round of crown post office strikes closed one of the town’s branches.

Between nine and 12 counter staff from the Burnley branch on Hargreaves Road staged a half-day walk out from 12.30pm yesterday as part of ongoing struggles to defend jobs and gain wage increases.

The counter staff are in the midst of a battle against the franchise of 76 crown post offices nationally, which they believe could lead to redundancies and a reduced quality services.

Coun Andy Tatchell, Burnley’s deputy mayor and a Communication Workers’ Union branch secretary, said that he was grateful for continued public support.

He said: “We apologise to the public for any inconvenience caused to them and for their continued support in our campaign.

“Our staff never take the decision to strike lightly but we have been left with no other choice than continue to take this action as management refused to sit down with us and offer workers a pay rise.

“They have also refused to listen to the wholesale opposition to the franchise plans which would see post offices used by companies as a private profit-making tool.

“Head office managers have received bonuses of £15.4 million whilst crown office workers have not received anything since 2011 which is simply unjustifiable.”