TT Post spending USD 4.7m to upgrade its delivery service

The Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation (TTPost) is set to improve its delivery network at a cost of USD 4.7 million within the next three months.

TTPost communications manager, Simone Farmer, said yesterday that the company, currently involved in wage negotiations with the Trinidad and Tobago Postal Workers’ Union, had met recently and identified solutions to several issues.

Postal workers in South and Central have been protesting in recent times over a series of problems, including defective mail bags, unsafe conditions at the workplace and general “unsatisfactory working conditions”.

Recently in Chaguanas, Couva, Marabella and San Fernando, workers downed tools in protest of these conditions.

The buildings occupied by the Chaguanas and Marabella workers were deemed unsafe and the workers also protested insufficient motorcycles for the delivery officers.

Workers at San Fernando, Couva and other areas also complained about defective mailbags.

Farmer said in a statement that the company’s decision to spend millions to improve its delivery network was a result of concern raised by the workers.

Among the challenges faced by TTPost, Farmer said, was the inadequacy of staff facilities at premises rented by the company for its delivery operations.

“However, negotiations with the relevant landlords have secured approvals for structural improvements to the affected sites,” she said.

Farmer said April 25 was identified as the deadline date for repairs to the Chaguanas and Couva/California delivery offices, while defective mail bags and other old materials currently in use by workers will be replaced by April 30.

“TTPost is already working assiduously to expedite the completion of the scheduled improvements. In the interim, the corporation looks forward to the full support of its workers to ensure that the delivery of postal services to the national community will suffer no further interruptions,” said Farmer.