Alison Bennett MP: Turning things around at Royal Mail

[TrueBlueTerrier]

By Alison Bennett


https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/op ... il-4747861

Last week I visited Royal Mail’s Sorting Office in Haywards Heath. This is what I learnt.

Since my election as MP for Mid Sussex, numerous residents in Haywards Heath have contacted me with concerns about missed postal deliveries.

To better understand the situation, I reached out to Royal Mail and recently visited the Haywards Heath Sorting Office. What I discovered highlighted some significant challenges—and potential opportunities—that the postal service is currently facing.

There are two key issues affecting postal services in our area. First, the way we communicate has changed dramatically. With the rise of the internet, we are sending fewer letters and receiving more parcels. This shift has placed new demands on Royal Mail, which must now compete with other delivery companies.

Handling and delivering a growing number of parcels, alongside traditional letters, has become more logistically and physically demanding for postal workers.

The second issue is a shortage of postal workers. Like many other sectors of the economy, Royal Mail is struggling to fill vacancies. Jobs linked to Gatwick Airport are particularly attractive in our area, drawing potential workers away.

This shortage is compounded by the strain of maintaining good industrial relations and meeting the universal service obligation.

Despite these challenges, I left my visit to the sorting office with a sense of optimism. The managers I spoke with acknowledged the difficulties but also expressed a belief that they are starting to turn things around. Recruitment is crucial to their success.

The average age of a postie is currently 51, and there is a strong desire to attract a more diverse workforce, both in age and background.

Being a postie is hard work, with rounds typically taking 4.5 hours to complete, often in challenging weather conditions. However, there are also benefits: favourable terms and conditions, opportunities for career progression, and the satisfaction of building relationships with customers on regular rounds.

For those interested in joining this vital service, now might be the perfect time to consider becoming a postie. Royal Mail is not just delivering parcels and letters—they are delivering a crucial public service that needs fresh energy and commitment.

[Jb1969]

What pleasant reading, another MP brain washed by Royal Mail Managers!
RM have been “turning it around” for a decade now.

[Barnacle]

Alison has been a very well behaved MP and repeated everything she was told by the oh so helpful managers

[malnuman]

"favourable terms and conditions", not for the new starters they are trying to attract!

[HTPostman]

Just missing ‘continued delays due to strike action’ for the full bingo card.

[enskied]

Hook line and sinker !
What an idiot. We have the same here with our very senior MP.

[enskied]

And ageism simply accepted as reasonable.

[Mr Rush]

With the rise of the internet, we are sending fewer letters and receiving more parcels.

Is this a recent pheonomenon? I've been hearing it for nigh two decades.

The second issue is a shortage of postal workers. Like many other sectors of the economy, Royal Mail is struggling to fill vacancies. Jobs linked to Gatwick Airport are particularly attractive in our area, drawing potential workers away.

Certainly they could try attracting people by making the job... umm... attractive. Haven't we been here before in the early 70s and mid 80s? The response then, as I understand, was to up the pay. Alas, that money has been earmarked for management and dividends so it would be robbery.

The average age of a postie is currently 51

Our largest contingent of departures were guys in their 40s who realised they weren't going to make it to retirement the way things are going. Those already into their third decade of service are clinging on because they see the light at the end of the tunnel. Consequently the average age shoots up.

However, there are also benefits: favourable terms and conditions, opportunities for career progression, and the satisfaction of building relationships with customers on regular rounds.

T&Cs are being jettisoned overboard to feed the circling shark. There is NO career progression (which feeds into the rising age as no-one young sticks around). If you're lucky enough to have a duty, your relationship with customers largely consist of apologising for the appaling state of the service.

Royal Mail is not just delivering parcels and letters—they are delivering a crucial public service that needs fresh energy and commitment.

It's almost vampiric.

[HTPostman]

needs fresh energy

IMG_7494.jpeg

[postslippete]

It's a shame that this MP didn't manage to speak to any of the posties on the shop floor during her visit. Where I work recruitment isn't the issue; it's retaining the staff who are actually there. Did the management not mention about the two-tier workforce that RM imposed? Or the extended deliveries and managers prioritising the parcels?

[scoobydo79]

Alison appears to be a mug

[Barnacle]

Interesting that the average age of a postie is 51 and yet RM try it’s hardest to have no pathway into lighter duties as people age and become impacted by ailments and injuries.