2007 Business Customer Review. L13977
2007 Business Customer Review. L13978
Read MoreTag: Europe
2007 Competitive Market Review + Business Customer Survey. Summary document. L13978
2007 Competitive Market Review + Business Customer Survey. Summary document.
Read MoreThe Telegraph: UK postal strike 'could last for months'
After two days of strikes, up to 100 million letters and parcels are estimated to be stacked up in sorting officers around the country as the worst stoppage for two decades paralyzed Britain’s postal system.
The five-day dispute will cost Royal Mail more than GBP 100 million by the time it ends on Wednesday. Despite more talks about pay, pensions and job cuts at the Trades Union Congress, both sides were far from agreement last night.
The Royal Mail claimed that 50 per cent more people were at work compared with previous strikes in the summer, although this was disputed by the Communications Workers Union (CWU), which said the action was “solid”.
Up to 130,000 postal workers walked out at noon on Thursday for 48 hours and will stage another two-day walkout from 3am on Monday, which will hit deliveries until the end of next week.
The postal strike in numbers:
400 million – Backlog of letters which will build up if strike lasts for five days.
GBP 10 million – Estimated cost of strike to small businesses in lost business and delayed postal payments.
135,000 – Postal workers on strike, out of a total of 180,000.
33,000 – Post Office bicycles standing idle while their riders are on strike.
GBP 790,000 – Oay packet of Royal Mail Group chief executive Adam Crozier in 2005.
8 – Miles travelled every day by postal workers, carrying around heavy mailbags.
5.6p – Loss to Royal Mail every time a stamped letter is sent. The firm loses some £4 million a week.
GBP 4 billion – Royal Mail Group pension scheme accounting deficit.
113,000 – Post boxes in the UK.
40,000 – Jobs the Communication Workers’ Union claims will be lost under the terms of the current pay offer.
27 million – Postal addresses in the UK.
11kg – The weight limit on a postal worker’s pack.
Read MoreWorld and Croatian Post Mark Their Anniversary
Under the slogan “World Postal Network: Stay in Touch”, World Post Day will be marked on October 9, and a day later, Croatian Post will celebrate its Day.
World Post Day is marked throughout the world in the memory of establishing World Postal Union, one of the oldest international organizations. Namely, delegates of 22 countries from Europe, America and African have signed the so called Bern Treaty on October 9, 1874 which founded the first joint convention on international postal traffic. This was the first step towards realizing principles of universality of the postal services on a unified postal territory, Croatian Post informs.
It is pointed out that on October 10 workers of Croatian Post will mark their day as a Remembrance Day of 1990 when the Croatian Parliament reached the Law on founding the public Croatian postal and Telecommunications Company.
Croatia became a member of the World Postal Union on July 20, 1992, thus becoming an equal participant in international postal traffic and a part of the largest delivery network in the world.
Read MoreCharity furious over mail strike setback
The Weldmar Hospicecare Trust booked a special door-to-door mail drop two years in advance so it could ensure that its 132,000 leaflets were delivered to supporters for a remembrance and fundraising campaign.
But it was forced to cancel the mail shot about its annual Light up a Life campaign because of the postal strike and cannot book another slot.
Fundraising director Caroline Nickinson said: “We’re really angry because for us this is a really important way to reach the people who support us and a lot of people will think we just haven’t bothered to ask them.
“This was always our first point of contact to advertise our Light up a Life campaign at Christmas.”
Under the Light up a Life initiative people can dedicate lights on Christmas trees in memory of loved ones.
The Royal Mail workers went on a two-day strike on Thursday after last minute talks failed when the 130,000 members of the Communication Workers Union rejected the pay offer of 2.5 per cent by Royal Mail.
A second two-day strike is planned from Monday causing further disruption to the industry and it is estimated the walkouts will cost the company millions of pounds.
Mrs Nickinson said: “When we tried to find out more we were told we could still send our letters to the headquarters but there was no guarantee they would be delivered and that would also mean losing the GBP 5,300 fee they charge.
“Luckily our newsletters weren’t printed yet so we could cancel the order at the last minute which was due to cost us more than GBP 4,000.
Spokesman for Royal Mail Richard Hall said: “Regrettably we have had to cancel our door-to-door contracts because of the industrial action. We know it is causing a real inconvenience and we apologise for that.”
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