POST Office workers in Glasgow are due to strike today in a long-running row over planned closures, possible job losses and pay.

Picket lines will be staged outside branches, including Duke Street and St Vincent Street in the city centre; Springburn Way and Hecla Avenue, Drumchapel.

Staff at Paisley, Cumbernauld, East Kilbride, Motherwell and Kilmarnock offices are also expected to strike.

The industrial action will be by members of the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) and will be their fifth national day of action after talks to resolve disputes broke down last week.

The union is opposed to plans to close or franchise 76 Crown offices, the larger branches usually based in High Streets. It says 800 jobs will be affected.

In Scotland, Post Offices in East Kilbride and Cumbernauld are among five targeted to become franchises in shops.

The CWU says it expects 4000 staff across the UK to strike today.

Dave Ward, the union's deputy general secretary, said: "There is massive public opposition to the closure and franchise plans and Post Office management have had to admit their figures on our pay claim were wrong.

"We are fighting to protect Post Office jobs and services that are clearly valued.

"We still believe a common way forward can be found."

Kevin Gilliland, network and sales director at the Post Office, said: "We want to end this dispute, but we must also ensure our High Street branches do not fail in the future.

"We have made real steps in reducing losses across the network. We are disappointed at the CWU's call for further strike action while talks are continuing."

linzi.watson@ eveningtimes.co.uk