Postal Dispute

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:02:53 +0200

As a postman it's very frustrating being caught in the middle of what seems an impossible situation. Let me explain.

Alan Leighton argued two days ago that the company needs to modernise in a competitive world. Job loses are a necessary evil if the Royal Mail wishes to be competitive in the market place. Later start times and reduced collections would help keep up with competitors.

1 in 5 letters are collected by rival company's and industrial action means more company's will move to our rivals. Closing Post Offices will reduce staffing and building upkeep costs. The offer of a 2.5% is fair and would bring the average postman's weekly wage up to £500.

Union Officials say :- Yes Royal Mail needs to modernise.

2.5% pay rise is not sufficient when management give themselves bigger pay rises than the work force e.g. Directors on 1.5 million per year and postmen on 16k per year with overtime.

The amount of job losses are unacceptable, but some job losses are inevitable.

Later start times are not acceptable as customers would be receiving their mail late in the afternoon.

Yes 1 in 5 letters are collected by our rivals but those 1 in 5 letters are still delivered by Royal Mail postmen.

Closing Post Offices has reduced staffing and building costs, but it has also inconvenienced many customers especially the elderly.

What does this mean to the customers if Royal Mail forces through the changes?

Well, Companies can expect deliveries after 13.00 hours each day.

Postal deliveries to individuals customers will commence each day from 10.10 hours and will probably completed by 17.00, later in rural areas. (This starts this week in some areas)

Less collections from mail boxes will result in mail arriving at it's destination a day or two later.

An increase in junk mail as Royal Mail sees this as a way of increasing revenue.

Less Post Offices means further to travel for the everyday customer.

Items requiring signature will now have to be collected by the individual as they be at work when the postman arrives.

What does this mean to a Postman?

Most postmen became postie's because they liked the early start so they can finish early to collect kids from school etc. They can no longer do this with later start times. Items the require signature will have to be returned to the office for collection.

Heavier mail bags due to the increase in junk mail deliveries with no extra pay for the postman.

No more face to face interactions with the customer.

Reduced hours of working for new starters with no chance of getting extra hours. e.g. 25 hours per week instead of 40 hours. Most postmen (65%) are on 40 hours per week, 30% are on 35 hours per week.

Junk mail is currently limited to 3 items per week which postmen are paid to deliver. Royal Mail wants to increase this to 10 items over 4 years for no extra pay to the postmen.

The average wage is £300 per week for 40 hours staff, £263 per week for 35 hour staff and £150 per week for 25 hour staff. This is before stoppages for Tax, National Insurance and Pension. Who can live on an average wage of £200 per week?

Less overtime will be available to increase wages as agency staff will be employed to deliver the excess.

My personal thoughts are that the company as a whole are moving towards a part time workforce to reduce pension, sickness and holiday payments.

As a postman I would like a decent wage for a days work. Personally the later start times only affects me on Saturday's when I enjoy some time at home with the family.

I'd like to think I keep my customers happy with the service I provide, but this is getting harder to achieve with the constraints being placed on me by the company.

With all the changes that have taken place and are going to take place the conditions for staff have deteriorated drastically to such an extent that I am actively seeking another job.

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Postal Dispute