The Post Office says it delivered more than 500 bouquets of flowers on Valentine’s Day – despite more than 200 of its workers being on strike.

It says plans to mitigate the impact of the three-day strike, which was staged by members of the Communication Workers Union, worked well.

Non-striking workers received and processed mail from three sea containers and three mail planes and undertook a full range of collections on all strike days.

It also dispatched two planes of bail back to the UK postal network.

5,671 Special Delivery, Royal Mail Tracked, Parcelforce 24, Yodel and HaysDX trackable packets/parcels were delivered along with thousands of machinable letters to large business customers.

Chief Executive Simon Kneen says: “While it was very regrettable that we faced further strike action by approximately 210 of our 340 strong workforce, I am very grateful to the team that delivered all key services during the three days, and prepared standard delivery items for dispatch, ensuring disruption to customers was kept to a minimum. 

“I would also like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding.

“We were disappointed that the strike went ahead.

“Despite the current financial challenges and difficult trading conditions, from the outset, IOMPO has sought to protect existing workers basic pay and to keep the current pension scheme open to existing members.

“No compulsory redundancies are planned as part of the ongoing cost saving initiatives.

“Following the latest round of talks, there are a number of proposals within the overall negotiation that we believe we are close to agreeing with the CWU.

“We are keen to settle these to move us forward, while we work to address the remaining elements in dispute, wherever possible by mutual agreement.”