Author: Archive

Tentative steps towards (UK) competition

Posted by | Aug 8, 2005 | |

Postwatch, the watchdog for postal services, notes that Postcomm has published further details of its postal market licensing system. From 1 January 2006, licensed operators will be able to collect, sort and deliver mail to customers. Postcomm, the postal services regulator, today set out in three decision documents details of the licensing framework that will apply to postal operators other than Royal Mail; a code of practice protecting ‘mail integrity’, for example security of post, and staff recruitment; and common operating procedures, such as how competing companies should work together on a number of issues, such as misdirected mail. Commenting on the announcement today, Peter Carr, Chairman of Postwatch, said: “Opening up the UK postal market to competition will bring benefits to customers, including increased choice, improved quality of service and the possibility of lower prices. Essential to consumer confidence is that all postal operators – including Royal Mail – are reliable, with rigorous employment policies, taking all necessary steps to safeguard against theft and loss of mail.”

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Sweden Post to equip drivers with Intermec handheld computers

Posted by | Aug 8, 2005 | |

Sweden Post, which handles 20 million pieces of mail daily, is to equip its drivers with interactive handheld computers from Intermec Technologies Corp. to provide real-time data capture during deliveries. The agreement includes 2,500 Intermec 761 ruggedised handheld computers and accessories, as well as vehicle-docking stations, chargers and holsters, and a comprehensive service and support package.

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UK Royal Mail may have to lay off 30,000

Posted by | Aug 8, 2005 | |

The British postal service, faced with losses of as much as 8 billion dollars in its pension fund, may have to dismiss up to 30,000 workers.

A study commissioned by mail regulator Postcomm and conducted by LECG found that competition and other factors have created a big shortfall in the pension fund of the Royal Mail.

Up to 30,000 post office jobs could be at risk, the study concluded.

The Royal Mail has about 165,000 employees.

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GAO urges better training for handling suspicious US mail

Posted by | Aug 8, 2005 | |

The US Postal Service needs to develop more detailed training to prepare its workers to handle suspicious mail more carefully, the Government Accountability Office said Monday.

The GAO cited mistakes in the handling of a letter containing the poison ricin that was found in the Greenville, S.C. post office in October 2003.

The letter, which contained a sealed vial, was labeled “Caution: Ricin Poison,” GAO noted.

It said the letter was discovered around midnight and postal officials double wrapped it and removed it to an area away from workers, but did not call postal inspectors until the next day. Inspectors then called in local emergency officials and the letter was sent to the state health department and later to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

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Japanese PM calls snap election

Posted by | Aug 8, 2005 | |

Japan’s Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has dissolved the lower house of parliament and called an early election for 11 September.

The move follows the defeat in the Upper House of his landmark proposals to reform the country’s postal system.

The vote was a huge blow to Mr Koizumi, who staked his reputation on the issue.

One minister has resigned over his decision to call an early election, and his divided party may now face a close race in the poll.

The postal reform would have transformed Japan Post, with its 3 trillion dollars of assets, into the world’s largest bank.

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Royal Mail admits GBP4.5bn black hole will force up stamp prices

Posted by | Aug 7, 2005 | |

Royal Mail is to force customers to pay for its GBP4.5bn pension fund deficit with plans to raise stamp prices to plug the black hole.

The revelation is contained in minutes of a high-level meeting between executives of Britain’s postal industry, hosted by the regulator Postcomm last month.

Royal Mail insists that no decision has been taken on how to reduce its pensions gap. But at the meeting, Stephen Agar, Royal Mail’s director of regulatory affairs, said: ‘Prices have been too low to fund the deficit. Pensions are a real cost that customers should bear.’

The disclosure comes as ministers are preparing to review proposals by Royal Mail’s chairman, Allan Leighton, for the Government to hand over 51 per cent of the state-owned company to the workers and take on some of the pension liabilities.

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TNT appoint first UAE Country General Manager

Posted by | Aug 7, 2005 | |

TNT industry veteran Briton Moulds having served for nearly two decades, will spearhead and strategise the company’s immediate Dhs 2.5 million Emirates-wide expansion.

Moulds takes up the new post after four years as National Sales and Marketing Manager at TNT Gulf, where his duties included strategy planning and implementation, cost control and ensuring a robust workable commercial policy.

TNT Express, the world’s leading B2B express delivery company, has appointed Bryan Moulds as its first Country General Manager for the United Arab Emirates.

‘This new dedicated UAE appointment is a direct response to TNT’s rapid growth in the Emirates of more than 30percent over the last year,’ said Mark Pell, TNT’s Managing Director, Gulf and Saudi Arabia.

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