POSTAL SERVICE IN CHAOS WITH 40,000 ITEMS UNDELIVERED

[Stormproof]

http://www.stratford-herald.com/mainstory.php?ID=2496" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

STRATFORD-UIPON-AVON sorting office is in chaos after a local revision of the service implemented last week has led to a backlog believed to be in excess of 40,000 items, while residents and businesses are suffering as they receive little or no service.

As Christmas edges closer the Royal Mail sorting office is being inundated with calls and complaints from residents and businesses, to be been told by staff “it’s absolute chaos” and they have no idea when the backlog will be cleared.

Royal Mail have remained tight-lipped about the situation but it is understood managers from across the county have been drafted in to help clear the backlog.

Stratford District Council this week sent a message to its staff and councillors stating: “Due to a change in working practices at the local sorting office we are currently experiencing problems with our incoming mail. There is a backlog of mail which we understand is in excess of 40,000 items.”

Royal Mail would not confirm there was a backlog, despite some of its 90 staff in Stratford admitting to customers it was “massive”, but a spokesperson said: “We aim to get the service back to normal as quickly as possible and are using all resources available to achieve this.”

The problems are thought to be caused by a new machine brought in to sort the post which is not working efficiently. Meanwhile delivery staff have been given new routes and told not to deliver once their shift has ended, meaning a lot of post is being taken back to the office.

The changes in Stratford, which were introduced last Monday 8th November, are part of a local revision of the service, and include the use of new equipment to move mail while staff are out delivering, two postmen sharing a van and a redistribution of delivery rounds to reflect the falling volumes of letters handled by the Royal Mail. The changes were decided as part of the agreement between the company and Communication Workers’ Union earlier this year.

Chairman of the Coventry and area branch of the CWU Mick Kavanagh told the Herald: “I’m aware of some problems in Stratford so certainly there will be a review of what’s gone on and hopefully that will rectify some of the problems.

“There are teething problems. I don’t think they’ve got it wrong. From our point of view we will be doing everything we can to try and get it resolved. I believe we will have to put some measures in there to get it right.“

A Royal Mail spokesman told the Herald: “As part of Royal Mail’s £2 billion investment in modernising its operations, changes are being made at delivery offices across the country to make them more efficient. When any such major change is implemented, some disruption is possible until the changes bed in.

“All staff at the delivery office are working hard to implement these changes with minimum disruption to service but we apologise to any customers who have experienced delays as the new systems bed in.”

[taurus88]

“I don’t think they’ve got it wrong.“

I dread the day when they do get it wrong then!

FFS, what is it with these CWU guys? RM lackeys or what?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

“I don’t think they’ve got it wrong.“

I dread the day when they do get it wrong then!

FFS, what is it with these CWU guys? RM lackeys or what?

unfortunately this exact situation (CWU briefing same as RM), is a direct result of 2 particular paragrapha in the "Deal of the Century" - on Page 6

The need for both parties to develop a fresh and more positive approach to communications at all levels, including where appropriate shared messages.

and page 34/35 - Paragraph 9

where the media contact is at local level a joint statement and/or media line should, wherever possible, be agreed by both parties

[Spedley]

The problems are thought to be caused by a new machine brought in to sort the post which is not working efficiently.

That is a load of bollocks. The sequencing machines are sorting at least 50% of the letters and saving each postman at least a couple of hours per day (because new to duty and new IPS layout)

The problem with getting the mail out is that they also revised Kenilworth, Warwick and Rugby offices at the same time so they don't have enough managers to work at all the offices.

[jockstrapp]

The problems are thought to be caused by a new machine brought in to sort the post which is not working efficiently.

That is a load of bollocks. The sequencing machines are sorting at least 50% of the letters and saving each postman at least a couple of hours per day (because new to duty and new IPS layout)

The problem with getting the mail out is that they also revised Kenilworth, Warwick and Rugby offices at the same time so they don't have enough managers to work at all the offices.

Thank f#ck for that or it would really be a disaster

[fishtank]

Chairman of the Coventry and area branch of the CWU Mick Kavanagh told the Herald: “I’m aware of some problems in Stratford so certainly there will be a review of what’s gone on and hopefully that will rectify some of the problems.

“There are teething problems. I don’t think they’ve got it wrong. From our point of view we will be doing everything we can to try and get it resolved. I believe we will have to put some measures in there to get it right.“

POSTAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND OFFICERS
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
M BAULCH P BROWNE P DONAGHY J FARNAN
S JONES M KAVANAGH P KEENLYSIDE J LOFTUS
C MADEN N MCLEAN L MCLEAN J MALONE
K QUIRKE D ROBERTSON B STEEL I WARD
D WARREN

[POSTMAN]

So in fairness Fish he can't turn round and tell it like it is.............................the truth!

[fishtank]

So in fairness Fish he can't turn round and tell it like it is.............................the truth!

I can't say whether it's an honest or an optimistic appraisal of the situation.
..but since HQ seem to have sunk everything into this deal it would take some real whatnots to admit that the revisions might be failing/struggling/whatever....especially if you were a PEC member and recommended the thing in the first place.

[dvbuk55]

Well lets examine the facts:

We have gone into revision
We are employing more people
We have more vehicles
We have HCTs
We have LCTs
We have increased the hours of part timers
Overtime is through the roof
Costs are spiralling

and we are failing to clear the mail......................now does THAT sound like a truthful appraisal of the situation?

It was never a question of consultation with the CWU, it was a question of RM setting out its plan for modernisation with the new vans, too small to carry the necessary workload, HCTs which have proved to be difficult to negotiate narrow streets with cars and wheelie bins on the pavement and LCTs which are brake-less and unstable and the CWU going along with it as some union mouthpiece said "well they spent the money and there are 10,000 vans parked in a field in wherever" so we are going to have to implement it.....oh and they have no money.