'Later delivery' plans revealed

11:08am Tuesday 22nd May 2007

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CUSTOMERS are facing later mail deliveries in the York area, local postal workers claimed today.

A Royal Mail briefing document to York staff, which has been passed to The Press, shows that later start times across the business are being planned, "due to road transport legislation and automation".

Communication Workers Union leader Paul Clays said an industrial action ballot was being sent out over the proposals, which could see posties start their delivery rounds up to 90 minutes later, for example at 6.30am instead of 5am.

Mr Clays said this would mean that if someone currently received their letters at about 9am, the delivery could shift back to about 10.30am.

Such a shift would have serious implications for businesses wanting to go through their mail at the start of each day, and Mr Clays said it could also damage posties' prospects of earning additional income elsewhere.

Later delivery times could re-ignite the storm of protests that erupted two or three years ago when Royal Mail scrapped the second delivery, and businesses complained that their main delivery would be too late.

Mr Clays claimed this was just one of a series of changes being proposed by Royal Mail which he claimed would harm the service to customers.

Royal Mail spokesman Graham Moore today said: "Royal Mail now operates in a competitive market and is always looking at ways of improving efficiency.

"In common with other delivery offices across the country, York is planning to make some changes to the way they work, including altering employees' start times to take account of mail arriving in the office later due to new traffic directives which limit speeds on HGVs.

"However, every effort will be made to maintain deliveries to main business customers as at present (between 7am and 9.30am) and all deliveries will still be completed within specification, that is by around lunchtime in towns and by mid-afternoon in rural areas."

Today's news comes just days after The Press reported union claims that Royal Mail was in talks with Postcomm about scrapping Sunday and Bank Holiday collections. Royal Mail said then that their licence obliged them to deliver and collect six days a week, that they would consult Postcomm and Postwatch over any changes, but that they were talking to the union about changes to their operations, such as less weekend work.

We also reported that staff were to be balloted over possible strike action over the pay deal, and the conditions contained therein.

The latest "pay brief" document passed to The Press is addressed to "York West/Central" staff, and appears to form an appeal by managers to staff not to vote for a strike.

It says workers are being offered 2.5 per cent on basic pensionable pay, with bonuses if targets are met.

It warns workers that if they vote for a strike, they will lose pay, the pay offer could be withdrawn, customers will suffer, competitors will take more business from Royal Mail and jobs could be endangered.

It adds that a £1.2 billion pound investment in modernisation is planned.

MPs express concern over changes

THE reported changes to postal workers' conditions have sparked concern from local MPs.

John Grogan, who represents Selby, said: "In recent years, the number of complaints I have had from both businesses and residents about the late delivery of mail has increased substantially.

"Whereas only a decade ago, most people had the realistic expectation that they would receive their mail with their breakfast, in many cases it is now nearer lunchtime, and further changes to shift patters can only increase such concern."

York's Hugh Bayley said: "It is essential that Royal Mail consults with businesses in York to find out what their needs are, and how they can guarantee early delivery for businesses that need their mail early."