Tag: Postwatch

Post Office (UK) earmarks 44 closures

Posted by | Oct 23, 2007 | |

The Post Office wants to reduce the number of branches in Argyll and Bute by seven, Greater Glasgow by 27 and Central Scotland by 10.

There will be a six-week consultation period to give communities a chance to air their views on the closures.

Plans for post office provision for other parts of Scotland will be announced next year.

The closure list for the Highlands is expected in January, the list for the Western and Northern Isles in March, and for the north-east, Tayside and Fife in April. Other areas will be announced in June and July next year.

The consultation on the future of the first earmarked post offices will remain open for six weeks until 3 December.

The plans are part of a wider restructuring of post office services throughout the UK.

Post office workers told the BBC Scotland news website that they were being prevented from talking to the media about the closures.

Some also revealed that they had yet to receive any official notification of the proposals and only learned their jobs might be under threat when leaflets about the closures were delivered to branches at the weekend.

The first closures are expected to take place in February 2008 with all changes expected to be completed by the end of that year.

There are 308 post office branches in Greater Glasgow, Central Scotland and Argyll & Bute.

Read More

The Telegraph: UK postal strike 'could last for months'

Posted by | Oct 6, 2007 | |

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 More

Postal Strikes: a week of disruption

Posted by | Oct 3, 2007 | |

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has announced further industrial action in the form of two 48 hour stoppages to be followed by further, as yet unspecified, strikes. The first strike is due to start at noon tomorrow – 4th October and go through to lunchtime on Saturday. The second strike will start at 3am on Monday (8th October) and end early on 10th October.

Millie Banerjee, Chair of Postwatch, commenting on the announcement said: “It is hugely disappointing to watch a great British institution tear itself apart. Effectively these strikes mean that mail posted in the UK today is unlikely to be delivered before Thursday next week.

“Ordinary customers cannot post with any confidence of knowing when it will arrive and may therefore decide to telephone, text or e-mail instead. Those businesses who can will also find alternative ways of communicating with suppliers and customers. Customers are being forced to explore other ways of communicating and will not all return to use post once the dispute is resolved.

“We recognize the management of Royal Mail and the leadership of the Communications Workers Union has tried to find a solution. They negotiated unsuccessfully for 5 weeks before these latest strikes were announced. But that failure has to be put behind them and the two sides have to re-engage to find the right solution that will offer customers a value for money postal service.”

“Postwatch advises customers to be aware of the strikes, consider what postal disruption will mean to them, and then act to minimize inconvenience. That might mean using other communication methods.”

Read More

Public survey on axed Post Offices in the UK

Posted by | Oct 2, 2007 | |

Public consultations are starting on plans to close up to 2,500 post offices over the next year.
Customers in Kent, East Midlands and East Yorkshire will be asked for their views on proposals to close 180 branches in their areas.
Consumer watchdog Postwatch said it is the start of a period of “huge change” in the post office network.
Chairwoman Millie Banerjee said: “Closures are not good news for customers, but the current post office network is unsustainable. The Government has decided change is necessary, with 2,500 closures required.
“Postwatch agrees it is preferable to have planned rather than unplanned closures. It is now vital that the programme’s overall outcome is the best possible for customers.
“That means customer confusion and inconvenience must be minimised, both in terms of the branches proposed for closure, and in the consultation process being meaningful and accessible to all.”
Post Office Managing Director, Alan Cook, said, “Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers.
“We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on or has any concern with Post Office services is both fully aware of the changes we are proposing to meet Government requirements and able to give views on how accessible services will be in the future.
A spokesman for the Department of Business and Enterprise said decisions on which post offices will close will be made by Post Office Ltd in the light of the responses to the area consultations.
“Post offices continue to play an important social and economic role in the communities they serve, but four million fewer people are using the post office each week than two years ago and Post Office losses rose from GBP 2 million a week in 2005 to GBP 4 million a week last year.”

Read More

Start of consultations on post office closures

Posted by | Oct 2, 2007 | |

Today is the starting day for the first public consultations on post office closures. The Government has charged Post Office Ltd with closing up to 2,500 post offices throughout the UK (500 of which will be replaced by ‘outreach’ services).

Kent, East Midlands, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire are the first affected areas, with 180 proposed closures and a further 35 existing branches proposed to be replaced by outreach services. Consultations for these areas finish on 12 November. Postwatch will be active during consultation scrutinising Post Office Ltd’s proposals, and ensuring customers give their comments. Our final views will be available on our website at the end of consultation.

Every part of the UK will be affected by the program, and Postwatch urges customers to find out when local consultation will take place in their area, and to get involved.

Read More

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

P&P Poll

Loading

What's the future of the postal USO?

Thank you for voting
You have already voted on this poll!
Please select an option!



View ResultsHide Results

Post & Parcel Magazine


Post & Parcel Magazine is our print publication, released 3 times a year. Packed with original content and thought-provoking features, Post & Parcel Magazine is a must-read for those who want the inside track on the industry.

Subscribe to the Magazine

 

Pin It on Pinterest