MP Richard Harrington demands RM payouts after postal chaos

[TrueBlueTerrier]

MP Richard Harrington demands Royal Mail payouts after postal chaos in Watford

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/9 ... s/ref=twt/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Royal Mail could be made to pay compensation to hundreds of Watford businesses and residents affected by recent postal chaos.

Watford MP Richard Harrington this week said he would be demanding payouts to any firms or individuals affected by delivery problems being felt across the town.

Services have been severely delayed by a new delivery system, introduced by the postal firm in June, with some complaining that they have not received post for up to five weeks.

The Conservative MP has scheduled emergency talks with managers at the Ascot Road sorting depot after the politician was inundated with complaints from residents.

He said: “The situation is absolutely outrageous. It is causing financial problems and other difficulties for people who are expecting deliveries.

“I’ll be meeting with the managers later this month who have so far have told me that the service is improving and that they are bringing in extra staff.

“They will have some excuse. They think that because they sent a letter out, warning people of possible disruption, it makes it acceptable, but it doesn’t in my view. They are acting like a monopoly. If this was a private business they would be losing customers - the public have got nowhere to go.”

Staff claim that double-figure redundancies at the depot have left postmen unable to complete extra rounds reassigned to them since the cuts.

Royal Mail says it is working hard to resolve the issues and claims that mail is being sent out to homes and businesses every day.

Meanwhile, complaints have come in to the Watford Observer from around the town.

Post room administrator John Scott, at Watford accountancy firm JSA Services, says the situation is the worst he has seen in more than ten years in the job.

On Monday, the company, which provides accountancy services to contractors in and around Watford, received delivery of two sacks of post dating back to August 1.

Mr Scott, 62, said: “This is affecting our business. It causes severe problems for us and the contractors, who need us to sort their finances in a timely fashion.

“The problem has been going on since June – it is not something you expect from a national company.”

Individual complaints have included one woman whose flowers had died by the time they were delivered, while others, who have been expecting important letters have been angered by the delays.

Epilepsy sufferer David Fagg, 52, of Brush Rise, relies on the post for information from hospitals following regular scans and to claim his disability allowance.

He said: “I haven’t had any post for four weeks – it is very frustrating, I’m worried about having my allowance cancelled. “It is absolutely appalling as far as I am concerned. They need to sort it out.”

[Ahebban]

He said: “The situation is absolutely outrageous. It is causing financial problems and other difficulties for people who are expecting deliveries.

Those whom are doing the delivery are facing financial problems and other difficulties as a result of this government's policy

“I’ll be meeting with the managers later this month who have so far have told me that the service is improving and that they are bringing in extra staff..

Obviously not in any particular rush to 'sort out management' just in case he is seen to be acting against government policy

“They will have some excuse. They think that because they sent a letter out, warning people of possible disruption, it makes it acceptable, but it doesn’t in my view.

The (ill-advised and ill-thought) magnitude of change attempted by RM will naturally incur disruption and the sending out of letters is common practice in utility companies warning of possible disruption to existing services

They are acting like a monopoly. If this was a private business they would be losing customers - the public have got nowhere to go.”

RM is a private business in all but name, and yes, we are losing customers and yes, the public have nowhere else to go ...

Why you might ask ... European legislation, government policy and RM profit margins would answer all the greivances felt by his constituents, and they are not alone!

[boogyman]

it ain't just watford ! they want to take a look at a number of offices, its a total shambles whats going on. someone really needs to sort this mess out a.s.a.p

[pants123]

ROYAL MAIL are running the business down to a disgraceful level,, its a shame royal mail have this attitude "don't care about the public and peoples mail", and also its employees....... its all been deliberately authorised by Mora Green and mark higson.. some people are in a position to destroy other peoples livilhood... and that is what is being done.......... its only going to get worse... its just so,so sad Money is all that matters with with these people at the top...

[Phantom]

They are acting like a monopoly. If this was a private business they would be losing customers - the public have got nowhere to go.”

s**t-ting!!! - Back to the master plan of privatisation, MP's and RM excutives and chairpeople all pissing in the same pot, so they can all go and f**k themselves!