Post office staff will stage a walkout tomorrow in the eighth strike this year.

Employees at East Finchley Post Office in the High Road will close the tills at 12.30pm in protest at the Post Office’s franchising plans.

The branch employs seven staff and one manager, who have 80 years of experience between them.

They now feel they have an uncertain future since The Post Office announced in February its intention to close 75 main post offices or transfer them to outlets in supermarkets and other shops, cutting up to 1,500 jobs.

Communication Workers Union representative for counter staff in the Greater London area Huw Davies said plans to close offices, cut jobs and reduce services could not go on unchallenged.

He added: “It’s time the Government stood up for these highly-valued local services which their constituents are signing petitions for in their tens of thousands.

“Our members are taking a strong stand with this latest eighth round of strike action.

"Their determination has been unwavering because they know they are right; they are standing up to protect jobs, services and for a fair pay rise. The company is in disarray and clearly out of touch with both its staff and customers.”

Up to 4,000 members of staff working in 372 crown post offices are expected to join in the industrial action nationwide.

Many of them are expected to attend a march and rally in central London at which MPs including Alan Johnson and representatives of the CWU will speak.