Strike threat over postal move changes - Fishguard

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... e_changes/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Angry postal workers are considering strike action in their fight against the closure of Fishguard sorting office.

Local union rep Dai Thomas says members are prepared to defend local postal services by taking strike action if necessary.

Dai said: “Members are extremely angry at Royal Mail’s decision to move the delivery operation from Fishguard.”

The union says that if the move goes ahead as planned on October 31st, the 17 postal workers will be expected to deliver Fishguard mail from Haverfordwest, which will mean travelling an extra 200 miles a week, adding nearly two hours to their working day.

Gary Williams, branch secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said: “This is not about good public service, but the chance for Royal Mail to save some money by selling off the sorting office building.”

Ian Edwards, delivery and collection director for Wales, said Royal Mail was confident the move would provide improved working conditions, secure employment and a more cost-effective operation.

He said: “We are confident that with this newly merged office fully operational, we will be well placed to meet our customers’ need for a consistent and reliable postal service, both now and in the future.”

[fishtank]

The Royal Mail are planning to close the Fishguard Sorting Office on October 31st and we the postmen and postwomen that work in the office are trying to do everything we can to keep our office open, but, WE NEED YOUR HELP. Please spread the word of this page to all your friends and family as every bit of support we can get will help. Please feel free to write on our wall as your comments, feelings and questions, if you have any, are welcome.
THANK YOU!!!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Petition- ... 43?sk=wall" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DGP1]

If they're traveling for an extra 2 hours a day then they're not delivering for that time................which to me is a result, paid to travel instead of deliver, they're going to need more staff

[glenfiddich]

i think he might mean commuting time

[EmmaRose]

Thankyou for spreading the word..please support or comment aswell on our page "Petition to save Fishguard sorting office from closure"..There have been some intersting occurrences down our way!
ps I didn't know this site and forum existed,shall have a browse and catch up!

[DGP1]

i think he might mean commuting time

But it's still less work, even if you've to travel and hour to get to the new office then you've to travel an hour back to start you delivery and then you've to leave your delivery a hour early to arrive back to the office on time...............so less work.

[EmmaRose]

i think he might mean commuting time

But it's still less work, even if you've to travel and hour to get to the new office then you've to travel an hour back to start you delivery and then you've to leave your delivery a hour early to arrive back to the office on time...............so less work.

Not quite their plan is start at normal time..go to public car park collect van,drive from Fishguard to Haverfordwest(14 miles)..Haverfordwest postmen will prep our first lorry??? we prep our 2nd lorry drive 14 miles back to Fishguard(it's a lethal road--google accident Treffgarne bends and see what comes up) then commence delivery.Haverfordwest sorting office entrance is so congested due to office and college traffic that we won't be able to leave until after 9am realistically as we cannot get out the roundabout! It takes most of our rounds up in mileage by approx 30 miles a day..one of mine will be 76 miles and the other in the 80s or 90s...plus I have 2-3 hours delivery in Fishguard before going on to Newport...will make it very difficult for 1pm specials..let alone 9am! One colleague has to drive 50 miles before delivering his first letter!
End of day leave undelivered mail at post office--shut when I finish return van to carpark(they are trying to force us to take them home) collect car and go home..we believe approx 2hrs later than we should be finishing..they' also turn the streetlights off here and the rurals are very rural..it gets dark at 4..We are scheduled to move just at the start of the christmas rush!

[DGP1]

i think he might mean commuting time

But it's still less work, even if you've to travel and hour to get to the new office then you've to travel an hour back to start you delivery and then you've to leave your delivery a hour early to arrive back to the office on time...............so less work.

Not quite their plan is start at normal time..go to public car park collect van,drive from Fishguard to Haverfordwest(14 miles)..Haverfordwest postmen will prep our first lorry??? we prep our 2nd lorry drive 14 miles back to Fishguard(it's a lethal road--google accident Treffgarne bends and see what comes up) then commence delivery.Haverfordwest sorting office entrance is so congested due to office and college traffic that we won't be able to leave until after 9am realistically as we cannot get out the roundabout! It takes most of our rounds up in mileage by approx 30 miles a day..one of mine will be 76 miles and the other in the 80s or 90s...plus I have 2-3 hours delivery in Fishguard before going on to Newport...will make it very difficult for 1pm specials..let alone 9am! One colleague has to drive 50 miles before delivering his first letter!
End of day leave undelivered mail at post office--shut when I finish return van to carpark(they are trying to force us to take them home) collect car and go home..we believe approx 2hrs later than we should be finishing..they' also turn the streetlights off here and the rurals are very rural..it gets dark at 4..We are scheduled to move just at the start of the christmas rush!

But your hours still remain the same, this is now the only thing that matters, if your journey takes 2 hours then that's just less delivery, if you're working in the pitch black than that's dangerous and just bring the mail back as a H&S issue, many things we can do to make them pay for the complete f*** up they've created and we have to use them.

[POSTMAN]

I'm confused,maybe more info is needed.

I would love RM to move my office miles away,i would love a shed load of extra travelling time,i would love for there to be a problem with the 1pm specials,well,there wouldn't be a problem as they would have to be done 1st then the rounds,and you know what that means.

The finishing 2hrs later doen't sound right because of the USO time thing.

But most of this doesn't sound right as RM are not that thick,will read the FB page tomorrow for more info.

Oh and ps lol: Haverfordwest postmen will prep our first lorry??? You just know that aint gonna happen.

[EmmaRose]

There are no plans to incorporate the extra travelling time into the rounds which will mean the position of being unable to complete the rounds and the threat with my shift(10 hour day) is the mangers will say it's not working and stop the 10 hours and we don't want to swap,the other comment you get is "Oh if you can't work over/finish your round I will get someone else to do it".I don't want to lose my round or be forced into doing so but the way they've worked this it's not going to work unless you are superman/woman!
And yep you are right no way is the first prep going to be done..it's a fantasy plan! Hope the facebook page updates you more!
So tired today ,done for ,think it must be a combo of exhaustion and worry

[DGP1]

But the issue remains the same Emma, it's not your round, all you do is go in at your time, work your hours and then go home, if they want to mess everything up then let them, just do your hours and go home.

[POSTMAN]

It's the holy grail that is the problem,the 4 day week.

They will lose the DO that is for sure,that is happening everywhere,deep down they will or tbh should know this.

In part you have to wonder RM's thinking,would be good to know the staff numbers at each DO.

They move and stay on the 10hr day,then more staff is needed,I will laugh again at Haverfordwest prepping their walks.
They move and go to a 8hr day then even more staff is needed,I will laugh again at Haverfordwest prepping their walks.

Fight to 'try' to keep the DO open,but you really need a plan to keep your 4 day week when you do eventually move.

[EmmaRose]

Thankyou and I agree with everything you say..17 affected at our office and found I was wrong re the distance it's 16.2 miles so a total of extra 38 miles on round!