19:43
Tieng Anh Vui
Staff at the country's 372 Crown post offices are due to begin a further two days of strikes over the bank holiday.
It is the latest action in a five-month dispute about closures, jobs and pay.
Workers will walk out across the UK on Saturday, then on Monday in Scotland and on Tuesday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Union bosses claim closure plans would result in hundreds of job losses but Post Office says it is necessary to halt massive losses in the network.
Up to 4,000 Crown post office staff will be on strike for two full days.
Current losses
Crown post offices are the big branches in larger towns and cities which make up 3% of the entire Post Office network, and handle about a fifth of its customers.
They currently make a loss of £37m a year.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) says plans to franchise or close dozens of Crown offices will result in the loss of up to 1,500 jobs, and also claims staff are being forced to accept a three-year pay freeze.
The Post Office says the Crown network must be brought into profit through investment and by franchising 70 branches with retail partners.
CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said: "This is the first time we have announced two days of strikes at the same time and the first time we have announced back-to-back days of strike action.
"Crown post office workers do not agree with management's slash-and-burn approach and are prepared to take prolonged industrial action to defend jobs and services and win a fair pay rise."
Failed talks
Post Office said it was "extremely disappointed" at the union's decision.
Network and sales director Kevin Gilliland said: "This action can only cause disruption to customers, cost our people money and place further pressure on the Crown network.
"We must continue with our plans to turn around the Crown network to ensure we keep these branches on High Streets and in city centres across the UK."
As yet talks between both parties have been unproductive, and the CWU has warned that if they cannot reach a settlement soon the strikes could continue until Christmas.
The action will be the 10th and 11th strike days in a dispute going back five months. Staff voted by nine to one (88%) in favour of the stoppages.
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