later starts

[sindba]

I don't think they can bring in commit to deliver without changing our contracts.

We won't agree to that so they would have to fire and rehire, which they wouldn't dare do.

So I can't see it happening.

[stevejm]

I consider myself fairly athletic for my age (62), go to the gym regularly keep up with partners 20/30 years younger but in 5 years delivering I've:
tripped on a 1 inch step on a pathway and fallen over - lots of blood but no serious damage
fallen and badly twisted my ankle twice
nearly fallen over on ice numerous times - arms going like sped up windmills to keep balance
tripped but kept my balance numerous times.

Another issue is that as you get older your night vision often deteriorates - it's normal and nothing can be done about it. I could see better in the dark when I was younger.

I dread to think what would happen when vision and spatial awareness is decreased as it is working in the dark. Problem accentuated when you float. More falls is the obvious answer. Leading to ankle, elbow, shoulder and back injuries.

One of the biggest costs to RM is sick pay. Whatever costs they are saving by going to later starts will likely be eaten into by increased sick pay costs.

[mjd24]

After reading that I have the upmost respect for the Milkmen of the past who had to negotiate all of those hazards whilst carrying glass bottles.

And they probably did it without torches too.....unsung heroes.

I've delivered mail (my walk), parcels (lats),done collections & worked in the callers office after the sunset in the last month.

Order of preference
(1) Obviously working in the Callers Office it didnt make any difference. Walk in the park.
(2) Collections (pillarboxes, firms Post Offices) arent a problem because we know where we are going and know the area. Dont need a torch. Also know how to avoid most traffic.
(3a) LAT - Home delivery office. Know the area so not an issue. Torch is useful. Can avoid most traffic but sometimes get awkward parcels
(3b) LAT - Other offices. Do-able , stuck in traffic, Torch is useful.
(4) My Walk - I know the route, hazards etc but it takes so much longer. Even reading the addresses with a torch isnt as easy as it sounds.

Delivering mail later in the dark can be done but its a dumbass idea. Complete madness. There are so many more hazards that will make the same delivery longer. There will be more accidents on duty. There is a big difference between delivering mail in the dark to delivering parcels or doing collections in the dark. Even the doing parcels or collections take a wee bit longer and they are much much easier.

How is there any difference between delivering mail in the dark and delivering packets in the dark, it's the exact same hazards for both?

Parcels- park outside address, out of van and walk to front door

Delivering mail- walking along pavements/roads, walking miles and miles whilst having to read house numbers etc Just sooooo much harder obvs!

[mjd24]

I bet if there was a power cut in a Mail centre and the emergency lighting kicked in they’d all down tools immediately. To dark to work

Apart from the machines needing rebooting by the engineers we'd carry on as normal. We have back-up generators

Shocked youve got room for back up generators!

[yellowbelly]

Why would they need everyone's mobile number when they can just use the phone functionality of the PDAs?

Because they're absolutely clueless about using the functionality of the PDA. I have never been contacted
by a manager on the PDA. And when a PDA goes back if it's knackered we don't take the SIM card out. We
just get another PDA with a different SIM card and thus a different number, so that would really confuse them.

I have however been contacted by some random legal firm about claiming for PPI about three years ago on the PDA.

[Route1]

How is there any difference between delivering mail in the dark and delivering packets in the dark, it's the exact same hazards for both?

Maybe its just me but i feel a difference. Feel I'm more cautious delivering mail as constantly watching for puddles, loose slabs etc. I find i'm walking normally delivering a parcel....get out the van and walk to the door.

As other have mentioned if you go to other office areas where you dont know street names or house numbers you sometimes have to get out and walk to try read them.