Striking Royal Mail workers braved freezing temperatures as they went on strike this morning.

Workers at the Welshpool site were out in minus-five degree weather this morning to take part in the latest strike action – as Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) still struggle to come to an agreement.

This is the latest of a series of strike days that have happened this year at the Royal Mail, where workers are demanding a pay rise to meet the rate of inflation as well as improvements in working conditions.

The CWU have said that they offered a settlement to avoid the strikes going ahead in the Christmas period which in volved “a back-dated pay deal of 9% over 18 months” and “a long-term job security commitment from Royal Mail CEOs.”

The union said “Royal Mail did not even offer to meet with the CWU, and has instead sent the union a 1-page document, via ACAS.”

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“Additionally, Royal Mail also released a statement to the media at 3pm about the strikes, and released a strike-breaking video on internal social media channels aimed at breaking workers’ morale.”

CWU General Secretary Dave Ward said: “Today’s actions by Royal Mail CEOs show they couldn’t be less interested in resolving this dispute or saving Christmas – their sole intention is to destroy the livelihoods of over 115,000 postal workers and wreck the service they provide.

“Posties are facing an outright assault on their livelihoods and dignity, and have no choice but to see this dispute through to its conclusion.

“The reckless, aggressive and bullying attitude from senior managers of this company is now totally out of control

Royal Mail on the other hand have accused the CWU of “holding Christmas to ransom for our customers, businesses and families across the country”.

Simon Thompson, Royal Mail CEO, said: “Talks have lasted for seven months and we have made numerous improvements and two pay offers, which would now see up to a 9 per cent pay increase over 18 months alongside a host of other enhancements. This is our best and final offer.

“The strikes have already added £100m to Royal Mail’s losses so far this year. In a materially loss making company, with every additional day of strike action we are facing the difficult choice of about whether we spend our money on pay and protecting jobs, or on the cost of strikes.”