Fury over plan to axe Saturday post

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 12 May 2008, 14:32

Although inaccurate in that no-one has suggested axing Saturday deliveries - its still worth posting to get the feel of the media if it ever happened.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/artic ... _page_id=2

A report due next week from regulator Postcomm calling for an end to Saturday postal deliveries is expected to spark an outcry from Royal Mail's 190,000 workers.

And any attempt to axe the Saturday service could be met with industrial action. Royal Mail chairman Allan Leighton said he was 'totally committed' to a six-day operation and would fight Postcomm's idea 'tooth and nail'.

The five-day operation plan is thought to have come from Postcomm chief executive Sarah Chambers.

She believes that rather than trimming costs by diluting the universal service obligation - which guarantees a letter is delivered at one price anywhere in the UK - Royal Mail should axe a day's delivery.

Last year, she described the six-day delivery as a 'Rolls-Royce' service compared with the Continent where five days is standard. Royal Mail believes it should be policed by media and telecoms regulator Ofcom, arguing that it competes with communications such as email and it is unfair to be the sole target of one regulator.

Billy Hayes, chief executive of the Communication Workers Union, said Postcomm should spend more time taking into account the needs of the consumer rather than with its obsession with competition.

'It's time the regulator concerned itself with maintaining the universal service obligation over six days,' he said.

'It should be attempting to improve service, rather than calling for an end to deliveries on a Saturday.' Royal Mail said: 'We are strongly opposed to any move to reduce our service quality and are dismayed that Postcomm is considering adverse changes, including cutting deliveries on Saturdays and reducing our quality of service targets.' A Postcomm spokesman declined to comment.

Suggestions for changing the structure of Royal Mail come as it faces huge financial pressure to tackle its losses, which are running at about Â£1m a day. The fundamental problem for Royal Mail is that the regulator has brought in competition, which has allowed private companies to cherry-pick lucrative business contracts.

But there is no competition in the lossmaking deliveries system. The regulator also prevents Royal Mail from competing by cutting the price o

redman · Post by **redman** » 12 May 2008, 15:04

Put it to a vote!

It would get around 99% in Delivery Offices.

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 12 May 2008, 15:26

redman wrote:Put it to a vote!

It would get around 99% in Delivery Offices.

Except for those 20/25% who'll lose their jobs

DB1100 · Post by **DB1100** » 12 May 2008, 15:35

redman wrote:Put it to a vote!

It would get around 99% in Delivery Offices.

Not when it costs jobs and puts good men and women on the dole

norbert · Post by **norbert** » 12 May 2008, 15:38

redman wrote:Put it to a vote!

It would get around 99% in Delivery Offices.

Allan Leighton fighting Postcon tooth and nail ??? LMAO , they're hired hands to do a job, end of; for the EEC , McBean , Postcon ; whoever

andy2007 · Post by **andy2007** » 26 Aug 2008, 08:49

Sadly, I must agree with you Dog Bait. Simply dismissing the idea of axing the Saturday Post, because of the potential job losses, is indeed foolish. Considering how many people want out.

However, that isn't the only reason to resist the removal of Saturday Deliveries: It is a further atempt to errode the principles of the USO. And that is something that I hope others will oppose, as much as I do.

norbert · Post by **norbert** » 26 Aug 2008, 10:43

norbert wrote:
redman wrote:Put it to a vote!

It would get around 99% in Delivery Offices.
Allan Leighton fighting Postcon tooth and nail ??? LMAO , they're hired hands to do a job, end of; for the EEC , McBean , Postcon ; whoever

Exactly ! all hype and spin - permanent panic mode :lfo

BELIAL · Post by **BELIAL** » 26 Aug 2008, 23:36

Why not embrace this new commercial ethos . Stuff the USO, if Mr Barclay; Axa; EON; Prudential: Goldman Sachs, wish to send a Missive to Minted Mansion with their 1/2 mile drive and 39 steps then the price should reflect the work involved say 10x the cost of No.4 St.Marys Terrace.

andy2007 · Post by **andy2007** » 27 Aug 2008, 07:58

I'm sorry. But personally, I could never support that attitude. The USO is a vital part of our service, and what sets us apart from our counterparts, elsewhere in the World.

If we allow an errosion of it in the Commercial Sector, as you suggest. How long would it be, before it spread to STL?
Not long, in my opinion.

I know that we are now a Business, and realistically, there's no chance of going back. But we can still provide a good Public Service, while making money. At least we can, if we're allowed to.