Tag: Domestic

Brown calls for end to postal strikes

Posted by | Oct 10, 2007 | |

The prime minister has urged postal workers to settle their bitter dispute with Royal Mail over pay, pensions and flexibility, declaring there is “no justification” for further strikes.
His comments came as unofficial industrial action broke out at more than 20 sorting offices across the country, a few hours after the end of a 48-hour national strike.

While deliveries resumed in most of the country, wildcat strikes were reported in Liverpool, Lancaster, Glasgow and east London.

Speaking at prime minister’s questions, Gordon Brown said postal staff should go back to work, and called for a negotiated settlement. He said the dispute should be brought to an end on the terms already offered by Royal Mail.

Postal workers came under further pressure from the Business Secretary, John Hutton, who said the Communications Workers Union (CWU) should accept the “perfectly fair and reasonable” offer from Royal Mail managers and return to work.

Up to 130,000 postal employees were due to return to work last Wednesday 10th October after a strike that crippled services for almost a week, but unofficial action broke out at several sorting offices.

Some workers said they arrived for a shift starting at 5am but were told Royal Mail had changed their timetables without their consent.

By mid-morning, unofficial strikes continued in some parts of London and Liverpool, although postal employees returned to work in Glasgow.

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Statement

Posted by | Oct 10, 2007 | |

Royal Mail got back to work today and is making good progress in clearing and delivering delayed mail. Out of a workforce of 130,000, fewer than 1,900 were not working normally which means that today more than 98% of our people have simply got on with the job of getting mail to our customers.

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Germany's Merkel plans to eliminate Deutsche Post's tax advantage

Posted by | Oct 9, 2007 | |

German Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to strip Deutsche Post AG of a tax advantage in order to appease the postal company’s competitors that deem the tax break unfair, Handelsblatt reported, citing government sources.

Under current fiscal rules, Deutsche Post’s basic postal services are exempt of the 19 pct value-added tax while comparable services provided by rivals are not, even after Deutsche Post’s monopoly on delivering letters expires at the end of the year, the paper said.

Merkel, backed by leaders of her party’s parliamentary group, wants to level that difference to allay anger over a minimum wage agreement for the postal services industry that logistics companies say puts them at a disadvantage against the dominant Deutsche Post, the paper reported, citing the sources.

Lawmaker are discussing whether the entire industry should be granted the tax break or whether the sales tax should be levied on Deutsche Post’s services,

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UPS Thailand growth slows due to sluggish economy

Posted by | Oct 9, 2007 | |

After relishing double-digit growth for the past two years, UPS Thailand is likely to experience slower growth in deliveries this year due to political uncertainty, sluggish economy and stronger baht, according to assistant marketing manager Phongchayut Ladavalya.

Thailand’s delivery business has been stagnant during the year as the stronger baht and economic slowdown have hurt exporters, which are UPS’s major customers.

Although the electronics industry continued to grow, some small and medium-sized enterprises have closed. The outlook for garments and jewellery also remains unpredictable.

During 2005-06, UPS Thailand’s delivery volume rose by more than 15 pct after rising 20 pct in 2004-05. Among Asia-Pacific countries, Thailand ranked no higher than sixth behind China, India, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.

Thailand’s delivery market will not grow significantly this year, he said, as many players create stiff competition.

UPS believes its strengths include speed and the ability to handle sensitive cargoes.
UPS’s general niche market also include deliveries of hazardous goods such as chemicals that commercial airlines typically refuse to handle, and medical items including blood samples or cells that need special services like storage with temperature control.

Mr Phongchayut said competition in the courier business was focused on three areas: services, technology and networking. Services cover speed and guarantee a specific time instead of just a delivery date. UPS offers services known as time definite-express plus, or guaranteed delivery before 8:30-9 am, before noon and or before 5 pm.

Meanwhile, technology will help customers reduce costs and save time. These include a tracking system through call centres, short messaging services and a website that can be integrated into a customer’s back-end system.

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Improved Postal Service Address Labels Now Available

Posted by | Oct 9, 2007 | |

The U.S. Postal Service is offering more visible, more durable address marking labels that can help letter carriers and emergency personnel more easily find addresses.
Manufactured by U.S. Stamp and Sign of Cookeville, TN, the premium address marking labels are available at OfficeMax supply stores and can be put anywhere ordinary labels can — on porch posts, front doors or mailboxes.
The three-inch-high reflective stickers are laminated with a durable surface which resists fading, scratching and weathering, while the reflective material makes numbers and letters easier to read.
Premium address marking labels are some of the many products licensed by the Postal Service, which include apparel, fashion accessories, packaging and shipping products, toys and games.
“Our licensing program provides additional opportunities to reach customers and to attract new ones,” said Vice President of Product Development Nick Barranca. “The Postal Service is one of the most recognizable and respected brands in the country, and we’re proud to place our name on such a fine product ” he added.

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