Published Thursday, 08 October 2009
121,000 postal workers across the UK took part in the vote and 76% backed strike action in a row over job losses and pay cuts.
It is the second national postal strike in two years and will affect up to 5000 employees in Northern Ireland.
Dave Ward, Communications Workers Union (CWU) deputy general secretary, said: "This is a huge vote of no confidence in Royal Mail management. The company has tried to make out that problems only exist in some local offices, but postal workers across the UK have now spoken and they say no to Royal Mail's arrogance.
"Royal Mail has never really been engaged in modernisation. They've been running down the business, running down services and cutting costs and it's that business plan that postal workers have overwhelmingly rejected today."
'Bad timing'
But the CWU insisted that there was still an opportunity to reach an agreement before any national strike action takes place.
Royal Mail has condemned the CWU's plan for a national strike as "deplorable and irresponsible".
The company said nearly 60% of postmen and women did not vote for strike action. It urged the union to honour its repeated commitment to a no-strike period and accept that there is no going back on change.
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association has described the decision by the Communication Workers Union as "very bad news for local small businesses".
Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA Chief Executive said: "This is the last thing recession hit small businesses want to see at this time.
"While I hope a deal can be done with Royal Mail and the CWU, the timing of this strike is particularly bad for our economy and we would urge all sides to go the extra mile to get agreement"