POSTAL workers have voted by an overwhelming 95.9 per cent to continue striking to defend their jobs, their pay and their industry, their union announced today.

In the biggest “yes” vote since new Tory laws in 2016 forced workers to reballot every six months to continue with strike action, the workers voted to strike again despite having already lost £2,500 in wages through 18 days of strike action.

Announcing the result at the Mechanics Institute in Manchester, Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) general secretary Dave Ward said the result was an outstanding example of collectivism and a victory for the “power of we” against the “power of I.”

He said: “After two national ballots, 18 days of action, constant management intimidation and scores of unjust disciplinary cases against their colleagues, postal workers have shown their dignity and determination once again.

“This vote is a testament to CWU members across the country who have stood firm against the most severe attacks faced by any set of workers since the miners.”

Mr Ward said that the vote is “proof that postal workers will not accept their livelihoods being destroyed so that a few at the top can generate serious profits at their expense.”

He said: “It is proof that workers loyal to a historic institution like Royal Mail will not accept it being turned into an Uber-style, bog-standard gig economy employer.

“It is proof that for Royal Mail to begin functioning normally again, there needs to be a change in negotiating approach from its leadership that recognises the depth of feeling from the workforce that make their company.

He urged Royal Mail to end the “executive action” which has seen managers change agreed working practices such as start times and hours — and the bullying, victimisation and disciplining of CWU reps.

“These people will never be bullied, intimidated or harassed into submission, and this result is a concrete demonstration of that spirit,” Mr Ward said.

“I urge responsible voices in Royal Mail’s leadership to take stock of what has happened today.

“We know our members want a reach a resolution. We want to reach an agreement on the future of Royal Mail. But it will only happen if Royal Mail stops these attacks on our members.”

Praising the determination of the workers, he said: “This is the third ballot. Politicians and the media said it would test the resolve of postal workers. They have their answer.”

CWU delegates from across Britain who were present for the announcement of the result leapt to their feet, clapping and cheering, when the result was announced.

The turn-out for the vote was 77.3 per cent, with 95.9 per cent for strike action and just 4.07 per cent against.

The CWU executive will meet on Wednesday to decide the union’s next steps, but Mr Ward appealed in the meantime for Royal Mail bosses to resume negotiations.

He said some progress had been made in talks up to the announcement of the vote.

The first strike by 115,000 workers took place on August 26 last year and was followed by 17 more strikes including on Christmas Eve.

Royal Mail managers allegedly launched a campaign of disciplinary actions against reps and activists which the union said, “actually boosted the determination of postal workers to fight harder for a fair deal.”

Strike action was suspended in January after negotiations brought signs of possible agreement. But under government anti-strike laws the union’s strike mandate from the members ran out on February 16. It has now been overwhelmingly renewed and lasts another six months.