Strike action has been threatened by postal unions following the revelation of jobs cuts by the management of Royal Mail.

The announcement of cuts, which would affect 1,600 positions, comes shortly after the privatisation of the former state owned company by the government in a bid to increase the businesses profitability.

The job cuts will primarily impact mangers involved in back office operations according to the company, with 300 new positions resulting in a net loss of 1,300 Royal Mail positions.

Royal Mail chief executive, Moya Greene, said the planned cuts represented: “the best way to ensure the continued delivery of the universal service and the good quality jobs we provide for our people."

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