The 24-hour national stoppages, planned for today and Monday, were scrapped after union leaders agreed to hold off the action until the new year, to allow more time for negotiations over pay, jobs and pensions.

Dave Dowling, York branch secretary of the Communication Workers Union, welcomed the news, but warned postal workers in the city were not about to give up the fight.

He said: “I think the general opinion among members is one of satisfaction at the agreement, but there’s definitely a determination that if they don’t reach an agreement then we will carry on next year with strike action to protect jobs and the future of the postal service.”

Mr Dowling said a big concern amongst members was the £10 million pension deficit, which he called for the Government to take on and “release much-needed funds for Royal Mail to modernise”.

Had the national strikes gone ahead today it could have seen a total walk-out of workers at the Leeman Road sorting office, with no mail deliveries.

The union’s postal executive sanctioned yesterday’s agreement at a meeting in London.