Angry Royal Mail staff: We want our shuttle bus back

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Royal Mail staff in Northampton have petitioned bosses to register their disapproval after minibuses for late-night staff were scrapped.

The introduction of Royal Mail crew buses in Northampton was agreed in 1998 because of potential danger to female sorting office staff finishing their duties during the night.

However, after many workers who benefit from the buses moved to the newly-built South Midlands Mail Centre at Swan Valley industrial estate, outside Northampton, the service has now been withdrawn.

About 70 night staff have now petitioned Royal Mail managers to get the service reinstated with the Communications Workers Union (CWU) giving its backing.

Paul Bosworth, CWU Branch Official of the Northamptonshire Amalgamated Branch, said: "This was about predominantly female staff finishing their duties at unsociable late evening and night time hours then waiting for public transport in dark, remote side streets or what on occasions could be a very aggressive town centre bus station environment.

"The crew buses at the time adequately addressed this problem and our members are astonished that anyone would want to go back to those bad old days where staff's health and safety may potentially be put at risk."

He added: "This also affects individuals who depend on this provision in order that they can follow their work to the newly-opened office. It's further compounded by the present absence of any public transport link which runs regularly to and from the Swan Valley industrial estate as part of an established bus route.

"This also generates much uncertainty about future job security for those workers that presently have no other available means of reaching this district of town in getting to their new place of work."

Royal Mail staff began transferring to the South Midlands Mail Centre about six weeks ago, the vast majority from Crow Lane in Great Billing, Northampton.

Royal Mail said yesterday the bus arrangement was only supposed to last until the Swan Valley office was completed.

A spokeswoman added that workers have been offered travel expenses and the company may continue the shuttle service to the new mail centre if the CWU can suggest a cost-effective solution.

[not me]

thats what happens when you move offices to industrial areas

He added: "This also affects individuals who depend on this provision in order that they can follow their work to the newly-opened office. It's further compounded by the present absence of any public transport link which runs regularly to and from the Swan Valley industrial estate as part of an established bus route.