CLACKMANNANSHIRE residents are facing disruption caused by the impending Royal Mail strike which was confirmed this week.

Royal Mail confirmed they had received word from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) on October 3 to say that their staff members would be striking between Thursday October 19 and Saturday October 21.

It follows a ballot result in favour of the action, with 83% of those who voted backing the idea.

In a statement, Royal Mail said it was "very disappointed" that staff had voted in favour of striking. The statement went on to say: “There are no grounds for industrial action. We want to reach an agreement. Royal Mail will use all legal actions at its disposal, including applying to the High Court for an injunction to prevent industrial action.”

The union says the company has closed its defined benefit, or final salary, pension scheme, offering new entrants an "inferior" scheme which the CWU claim will leave them in "pensioner poverty".

General Secretary Dave Ward said: "This is a watershed dispute that will determine not only our members' pensions, jobs and pay but also the future of the service.

"Postal workers delivered a massive yes vote for strike action and we are determined to take whatever steps are necessary to deliver an agreement that will protect and enhance our members' terms and conditions and improve the range of services on offer to customers.

"As well as this call to action, the CWU will now launch a major campaign to gain public and political support for postal workers. This is your service. We must work together to save it."

This will be the first strike at Royal Mail since the postal group was privatised in 2015.

The Wee County’s only Royal Mail depot is situated in Castle Street Industrial Estate, Alloa.