Mail workers hit out over breaks

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Part-time postal workers in Northampton have claimed Royal Mail is discriminating against them by cutting their breaks.

Employees who work the late shift at the Crow Lane site have expressed their anger that they are only being given a break of 20 minutes, despite the Communication Workers Union (CWU) claiming that a nationally agreed policy entitles them to 30 minutes.

The union has proposed that part-time staff be allowed to receive their correct meal breaks and receive any time owed in arrears, as some employees are owed several days in accumulated time.

However, the Royal Mail has rejected this proposal which has further infuriated the 75 affected staff and led to more than 50 of these individuals submitting grievance complaints citing discrimination.

Gareth Eales, CWU area processing representative at Northampton Mail Centre, said: "Almost every other mail centre in the Midlands and beyond grant their part-time employees the full 30-minute break.

"In addition, the union has already secured 30-minute breaks for all part-time jobs for the new mail centre at Swan Valley due to open in May 2010 so, if management are conceding that part-time staff are entitled to a 30- minute break at the new mail centre next May, why are they not entitled to it now? The reason the company is refusing to concede is purely on the grounds of cost. Penny-pinching comes first and people come second."

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: "The duration of breaks for part time staff formed part of a national agreement with the CWU made in 2001.

"The 20 minute duration of breaks at Northampton was agreed with the local CWU at this time and have therefore been in operation for the last 8 years.

"Staff and their representatives raised the issue with us last month and dialogue continues," the spokesman added.

Meanwhile, the price of a firstclass stamp could rise by 3p next year under a plan to help rescue Royal Mail's finances.

Bosses are also planning to increase the cost of a second-class stamp by up to 2p, under the measures to raise around £100 million of extra revenue.

The inflation-busting proposals have been sanctioned by industry regulator Postcomm in order to help safeguard Royal Mail's universal service – delivery to every property in the country for the price of a stamp. First-class and second-class stamps currently cost 39p and 30p respectively.

[Scarlet Pimpernell]

Rescue Royal Mail's finances?
What are they on?
We've been making a profit for some time now. Even during a credit crunch!

[Big Daz]

Rescue Royal Mail's finances?
What are they on?
We've been making a profit for some time now. Even during a credit crunch!

Not quite true my friend

2007/2008 financial year Royal Mail Letters made a £3 million loss and last year was only 58 milion profit, thats bloddy awfull compared to the glorious year of 2004/2005 were Royal Mail letters made £591 million profit.

RML revenue was higher in 2007/2008 when the £3 million loss occured compared to 2004/2005 when we had the £591 million profit.

[oypostie]

What about the price the downstream access leaches pay. Is that going up ? If not all this will do is persuade even more firms to move away from Royal Mail

[postietaz]

big daz are you a leighton boy or crozier blood

[Scarlet Pimpernell]

Rescue Royal Mail's finances?
What are they on?
We've been making a profit for some time now. Even during a credit crunch!

Not quite true my friend

2007/2008 financial year Royal Mail Letters made a £3 million loss and last year was only 58 milion profit, thats bloddy awfull compared to the glorious year of 2004/2005 were Royal Mail letters made £591 million profit.

RML revenue was higher in 2007/2008 when the £3 million loss occured compared to 2004/2005 when we had the £591 million profit.

There was a long series of Strikes in the 2007/2008 period. If you take that into account, then we did really well didn't we?