Tag: UK

DHL turns to the next chapter in UK publishing

Posted by | Mar 19, 2008 | |

Supply chain expert provides delivery service at London Book Fair
Taking the theme of The Next Chapter, DHL will be on stand U575 at this year’s London Book Fair (14 -18 April 2008, Earls Court), highlighting its full range of services for the publishing industry, which is currently facing similar threats to those experienced by the retail supply chain, most notably ‘route to reader’ issues.
DHL provides innovative supply chain solutions to 85% of the UK publishing industry.
Mark Siviter, Executive Board Director from DHL, is heading a multi-functional group from across the supply chain business that has been created to serve the publishing sector. He explained that the sector has a number of significant challenges it needs to overcome over the next decade.

Read More

Medical tourists need to mind the gap

Posted by | Mar 19, 2008 | |

Post Office® reveals 36 per cent of ‘medical tourists’ fail to check their travel insurance

The ‘health tourism’ industry is increasing at a rate of around 30 per cent per year with over 70,000 people travelling overseas for cosmetic surgery or elective medical treatments last year.

However, new figures released today by Post Office® Travel Services show that over 25,000 of these people are unwittingly putting themselves at risk by failing to buy the correct level of travel insurance cover.

The research reveals that over a third (36 per cent) of those who had travelled abroad for cosmetic or elective surgery failed to check if their insurance policy covered them for claims that could arise from their treatment, including additional periods of hospitalisation resulting from the procedure and replacement flights if their trip was extended. One in five of these people admitted it simply didn’t cross their minds to check the policy while a worrying 16 per cent just assumed they would be covered.
The findings highlight the growing trend of people looking for lower cost treatments abroad. India is currently the top destination for cosmetic and medical surgery, closely followed by Hungary, Turkey, Malaysia and Spain. And with breast implants, cosmetic dentistry, heart surgery and hip replacements costing between 20 and 50 per cent less than private treatment in the UK, it is inevitable that more and more people are prepared to travel the distance for treatment.

A further one in ten people (9 per cent) checked their policy and realised they were not covered yet still chose not to buy additional cover. And women are more bothered by the fact they are not covered than men, as a quarter of female travellers checked their policies and proceeded to get extra cover compared to just 9 per cent of the males.

Read More

Royal Mail pension plans rejected

Posted by | Mar 19, 2008 | |

Royal Mail managers have voted to reject the company’s proposed pension changes, increasing the threat of strike action.

Unite advised staff to reject the plans and 85% of those who voted in a ballot agreed with the union.

Royal Mail plans to cut the value of its pension scheme for new and current members and raise the retirement age.

Unite said it would now consider a ballot for industrial action if the issue was not dealt with by Royal Mail.

Unite national secretary, Paul Reuter, said: “This is a massive rejection of Royal Mail’s decision to reduce the future pensions of thousands of working people.

“It would be absolute folly if the business were to ignore their loyal staff.”

But he stressed that the union did want to rush into a strike.

The main trade union at the Royal Mail, the Communication Workers Union (CWU), is holding a workplace ballot of its own members to judge their opinion. This ends on 25 March.

But a Royal Mail spokesman said the proposed changes were essential to deal with a deficit of GBP 3.4bn in the pension scheme.

“After discussions on pension change which began nearly a year ago, the unions, including Unite, signed a deal with Royal Mail fully agreeing the essential changes to the pension plan which are taking effect on 1 April.

“Royal Mail is determined to ensure that everyone in the company has the best possible pension that the company can afford but we have no alternative but to reform the pension plan,” he added.

Read More

Post Office Consultation

Posted by | Mar 18, 2008 | |

Billy Hayes, General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union has lent his support to London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who intends to begin a legal challenge over the closure of 171 post offices in the capital by Post Office Ltd.

Hayes has also been critical of the way in which competition has been introduced to the UK’s postal market and has been urging the government to carry out a full review of postal deregulation. Of the closures, Mr Hayes said:

“This is a proportionate response to scandalous behaviour by Post Office Ltd which seems determined to strip the country of Post Offices. The consultation has been completely inadequate, failing to seriously consider individual cases and the effect that so many closures will have on the network as a whole. London has been hit particularly hard by the closure programme and we fully support Ken Livingstone’s actions to defend this vital public asset.”

The Communication Workers Union is currently balloting union members over changes to the pension provision at Royal Mail which could see final retirements move from age 60 to 65. Many workers claim that the physical nature of the job plus an increasing workload, would mean that many would not be fit enough to work to the age of 65. Hayes indicated that the CWU, on advice from members, may step up their campaign.

Read More

London Mayor Ken Livingstone mounts legal challenge over post office closures

Posted by | Mar 18, 2008 | |

Royal Mail’s plans to close 2,500 post offices could be thrown into disarray after the Mayor of London said yesterday that he would mount a legal challenge in the capital.

If Ken Livingstone is successful, other local authorities across the country could come under pressure to start similar action. He is seeking a judicial review of the closure of nearly 200 post offices in London because of the impact on local communities.

The closure programme across the country, which is being rolled out regionally, has been controversial because Royal Mail’s Post Office division is only allowing a six-week public consultation period.

Post office branches and communities have complained that this is far too short a time to take effective action. The Commons Business and Enterprise Select Committee has also attacked the closures as rushed. There has also been concern because the closures are compulsory and often opposed by the sub-postmasters.

In London, closures have caused more controversy because many post offices are profitable and well used, unlike some in rural areas where they do not get very much trade.

Mr Livingstone said: “Communities in every part of London, especially the most vulnerable people, depend on their local post office. Post Office Ltd has not provided adequate time to consult on its proposals, leaving me with no alternative but to ask lawyers to seek leave to challenge their decision to close 171 post offices in London through a judicial review.”

He said that over the past seven years the number of post offices in London had been cut by 45 per cent while the number of people in the capital had increased. “Now is not the time to be closing post offices but expanding the service.”

Billy Hayes, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said: “This is a proportionate response to scandalous behaviour by Post Office Ltd, which seems determined to strip the country of post offices. The consultation has been completely inadequate. We fully support Ken Livingstone’s actions.”

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