THOUSANDS of Post Office workers are threatening to walk out during the Christmas period in a row over branch closures and job losses.

Communication Workers Union shop counter staff could strike on December 19, 20 and Christmas Eve, while cash handlers are preparing to take part in industrial action December 22 and 23.

The news comes as some branches were closed yesterday while staff took to the picket lines.

If the action goes ahead it will involve 4,000 workers, and 300 Post Offices will either shut up shop or operate with skeleton staff. It is feared this will disrupt and delay gift orders in the run-up to Christmas and smaller, rural branches could be cut off from their usual cash delivery.

Union bosses say the action is necessary to save people’s jobs as more than 6,000 Post Offices have closed since 2002.

The action will be the fourth since August. In September branches in Bognor, Crawley, Chichester, Horsham, Hove, Shoreham and Worthing crown post offices were affected by a strike. It is not yet confirmed if Sussex staff will be taking part in the forth coming action.

Kevin Gilliand, Post Office network and sales director, insisted that even if the Christmas strike went ahead, most stores would stay open.