Ayrshire postal workers will go on strike on and after Black Friday, their union has announced.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents Royal Mail employees, will strike for 48 hours across Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25.

Ayrshire postal workers in the CWU will join 115,000 of their union colleagues across the UK in the action.

A further 48-hour walkout is planned for the start of the following week - potentially delaying deliveries for thousands of shoppers who ordered goods online during the 'Black Friday' sales on November 25.

The union says it's unhappy at Royal Mail bosses' offer earlier this week of a pay increase it said amounted to 7 per cent over two years - significantly lower than the current inflation rate of 10 per cent - as well as closures of mail delivery centres, the outsourcing of workers, and changes to Sunday working.

Dave Ward, the CWU's general secretary, said: “Posties are in the fight of their lives against the Uberisation of Royal Mail and the destruction of their conditions.

“But 115,000 of our members will not just accept this war on their livelihoods and their industry.

“They will never give up the fight to protect this industry and to protect their hard-won working conditions.

“Simon Thompson has to either accept that or walk away – until he does one or the other, serious disruption will continue.”

Further strike dates are also planned for Wednesday, November 30 and Thursday December 1 – two days after one of the busiest days for online shopping, Cyber Monday.

Union members also plan to hold a vote of no confidence in Royal Mail CEO Simon Thompson.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “On Monday October 31, Royal Mail proposed a new pay-for-change offer to the CWU worth 9 per cent over two years, despite making a loss of £219 million in the first half of the year.

“The CWU have been in talks with us at Acas and claim they are open to change but they now need to show it.

“Instead, the CWU have announced four days of strike action which will damage our business further at our busiest time of year.

“The CWU is playing a dangerous game with its members’ jobs and the future of Royal Mail.

“We urge CWU to withdraw these strikes for the good of our customers and our people.

“We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience the CWU’s continued strike action will cause.

“We are doing all we can to minimise delays and keep people, businesses and the country connected.”