After 40 years is this the end of the first class post?

[Jenny Manchester]

After 40 years is this the end of the first class post? Two-day delivery plan for all letters
Regulator Ofcom is considering scrapping two-tier system
First and second class stamps would be replaced by one costing 53p
Also considered cutting the number of deliveries per week


Snail mail: Your letters may take longer to arrive under a new systee being considered by Ofcom
First class post could be axed under proposals published yesterday by the industry regulator.
Ofcom is considering scrapping the two-tier system of first and second class post which has been in place for more than 40 years.
Instead they may be merged into one service which would see a letter taking two days to arrive, according to proposals set out yesterday.
At present, it costs 60p for a first class stamp for a letter to arrive the next working day, and 50p for second class which should arrive within three working days.
But Ofcom says it is thinking of replacing this system with one in which a stamp costs around 53p and letters take two days to arrive.
It said: ‘The benefits of a next day service would appear to be diminishing over time as the use of other communication methods can fulfil the need for speed.’
The proposals follow a survey, described by Ofcom as the largest-ever poll of users of the postal service about what they need from the Royal Mail.
The report concludes that ‘a significant proportion of first class mail does not actually need to arrive the next day’, adding that it is ‘expensive’ to provide the current service.
Ofcom said the most popular option – backed by 39 per cent of users – was the alternative one-price system, rather than the current two-tiered option.
Its 144-page report also considered stopping postmen from having to deliver post through people’s letterboxes.

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Instead, post could be left in a ‘secure locker’ in a train station or village hall, or placed in ‘a secure weatherproof box’ at the edge of a property, according to the report.
But Ofcom said the majority of people surveyed were ‘strongly against’ this idea.
Ofcom also considered the idea of cutting the number of deliveries per week.
At present, Royal Mail is legally bound to pick up and deliver letters six days a week for the same price – known as the ‘universal service’.

But the report suggests that changing this is unlikely, stating: ‘The Government has indicated it has no intention to change at present.’
Robert Hammond, director of postal policy at Consumer Focus, said its own research found many people were ‘happy’ with the idea of just a single class of post.
But he added: ‘A premium product that guarantees a next day delivery must remain an option for special circumstances.’
Billy Hayes, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said: ‘We want to see innovation, not cuts, in order to improve service standards.’
A Department for Business spokesman said: ‘The minimum requirements of the universal service, such as the six-day letters service, cannot be changed by Ofcom.
‘Those requirements can only be changed by Parliament.’
But Ofcom has the power to merge first and second class post into one service.
Its proposals are subject to a public consultation, which closes on December 18. It must publish its decision by March 31, 2013.

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[SpacePhoenix]

If it goes ahead it could mean the end of early shift in every MC in the country, with more staff on nights and any that late shifts didn't get processed would get processed by nights and be taken on artics on their return runs (probably also end the need for sending stuff by air apart from channel islands, iom, etc)

[Wessex]

All these Ofcom suggestions are pretty predictable ,fairly sure I even suggested that
This would happen.this survey which I am sure you won't know one person who took part
reminds me of the one that did for Sunday collections
After all they are only doing what the consumer really wants , right ?

[lardyboy]

Surely this is more likely to herald the end of the night shift than the morning shift?
Any mail not sorted and processed by lates could be left until the following morning to be dealt with more 'cost effectively'

[fishtank]

It could lead to many variations in the way we work.
One of the things it could mean is a return to early deliveries.

Start work at 7am straight out on delivery come back and prep the following day's work or simply run the machines earlier with no need to wait on the "first class" from collections and get the sequenced mail into the D.O.s earlier.

Let's be honest if nothing is done first class will die away on it's own anyway as the price difference between the two increases and we'll be left providing a very expensive first class service for fake "first class" like DSA or giving second class mail first class treatment just to keep the machines busy.

[Budfrog]

I've heard a rumour ... and it's only that, of RM wanting to pull the plug on MPUs and do all the sequencing in Mail Centre's. This change in service and the knock on effect on workplan could facilitate that with early and late shifts sequencing mail ready for next day delivery.

[Stormproof]

I've heard a rumour ... and it's only that, of RM wanting to pull the plug on MPUs and do all the sequencing in Mail Centre's. This change in service and the knock on effect on workplan could facilitate that with early and late shifts sequencing mail ready for next day delivery.

I've heard that rumour aswell, not sure if its a rumour though as it came out of the DSM's mouth

[Glenno]

I've heard a rumour ... and it's only that, of RM wanting to pull the plug on MPUs and do all the sequencing in Mail Centre's. This change in service and the knock on effect on workplan could facilitate that with early and late shifts sequencing mail ready for next day delivery.

I have heard the same

[clashcityrocker]

If the MPUs go then those offices that currently are serviced by one will get their mail later.
This will have an effect on start times and consequently delivery spans and attendance patterns.
And the MPU operators will do....what?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Its already happening I think, some members have posted queries about moving with the work and/or not being able to.

[pinstripe]

I've heard a rumour ... and it's only that, of RM wanting to pull the plug on MPUs and do all the sequencing in Mail Centre's. This change in service and the knock on effect on workplan could facilitate that with early and late shifts sequencing mail ready for next day delivery.

How are they going to manage this when they are closing mail centres, and the ones they are building are too small?

Typical Royal Mail thinking. If something ain't broke, break it. Still at least we have the CWU to help us.

[dodger162]

This survey was completed by consumers. The decision on whether 1st class goes will be with the posters, ie businesses. Consumers make up a very small amount of the revenue received.

[blackbooks]

Could also be the end of a few thousand posties!

If senders are not that concerned about timeliness, within a day or so - we can wave good bye to Saturday deliveries and will be going over to alternate day deliveries or four days/ week. [Mon/Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri/Sat] . Only a few redundancies there!

Trouble is, how much of what we deliver is time sensitive? Most is general marketing stuff, D2D, catalogues and brochures, unloved and unwanted!

It will come - but will the CWU be looking to protect all of us, or just the 50% of the workforce that is left?

[dvbuk55]

Could also be the end of a few thousand posties!

If senders are not that concerned about timeliness, within a day or so - we can wave good bye to Saturday deliveries and will be going over to alternate day deliveries or four days/ week. [Mon/Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri/Sat] . Only a few redundancies there!

Trouble is, how much of what we deliver is time sensitive? Most is general marketing stuff, D2D, catalogues and brochures, unloved and unwanted!

It will come - but will the CWU be looking to protect all of us, or just the 50% of the workforce that is left?

Well as you know due to the last agreement the union believes there will be winners and losers and as it turns out mostly losers. I suppose you could imagine it to be the old roman arena winner loser