York MP sends stinging letter to Royal Mail bosses

[TrueBlueTerrier]

York MP Hugh Bayley sends stinging letter to Royal Mail bosses over second class post plans

http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/3788484. ... ne_told_me___/

By Mike Laycock »


ROYAL Mail has been blasted by York MP Hugh Bayley over its decision to stop sorting second class post in the city.

The MP has told the organisation he is “very disappointed” he was not informed about the decision to transfer the sorting operation from York to Leeds.

And he has spoken of his concerns about the impact of the change on York customers, postal workers and the environment, and arranged to meet a senior Royal Mail manager next month to discuss the matter.

When The Press exclusively revealed the decision earlier this month, it also reported how it had sparked fears for the long-term future of the city’s sorting office and more than 350 jobs.

Postal workers union leader Paul Clays said he and members believed the loss of second class mail sorting could be followed later by first class and other mail, and the closure of the office in Leeman Road.

A York sorting office employee said staff were worried the decision was the “thin end of the wedge,” and there could be “death by a thousand cuts”.

But the company said the move, intended to improve operational efficiency, would not result in the loss of any of the York centre’s 360 jobs and said there were “no plans at the moment” to transfer any further mail processing from York to Leeds.

Mr Bayley’s comments have come in a strongly-worded letter to area general manager Alison Wright, whom he will be meeting on November 10.

He told her that as well as discussing the impact of the loss of second class mail sorting on customers, jobs and the environment, he also wanted to clarify the situation over the future of first class and other mail services.

“I should also like to hear about any commitment Royal Mail has not to transfer any further mail processing to Leeds.”

Meanwhile, Royal Mail has insisted that second class letters posted within the York postcode area will still be stamped “York,” even after the company starts sorting them in Leeds. York councillor and former postal workers union official Ken King had spoken of his concerns that the stamp might disappear from postcards and letters posted by tourists staying in the York area.

Asked to respond to Mr Bayley’s comments, a Royal Mail spokeswoman said today: “Royal Mail’s area general manager, Alison Wright, and York mail centre manager, Mel Pickering, will be meeting Mr Bayley next month to respond to the points he has raised. In the meantime, we will continue to keep our staff informed about any planned operational changes.”

[kingtubby]

...and said there were “no plans at the moment” to transfer any further mail processing from York to Leeds.

hmmm - that old chestnut