Postal strike mail backlog could take a week to clear

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-storie ... -21529173/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The massive backlog of mail caused by yesterday's 24-hour postal strike could take a week to clear, a union chief warned.

Up to 12,000 posties walked out in various regions in a growing dispute over cuts to jobs, pay and services.

Communication Workers Union deputy leader Dave Ward said: "The main mail centres in London were at a virtual standstill.

"So much post comes in and out that it will lead to a huge backlog that will take the best part of a week to clear."

And there is more on the way as the CWU leadership last night approved three days of "guerrilla action".

It means different parts of the industry will be hit on separate days.

Delivery offices will strike next Saturday, drivers will go out on Monday and mail centres will be hit on Tuesday.

A spokesman said: "This will be far more disruptive, far tougher to manage and the impact will last longer.

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"We could see a lot more of this kind of guerrilla action going forward."

Royal Mail insisted that 90 per cent of posties worked normally.

A spokesman said: "Only 20 Royal Mail offices outside London, out of 1,600 nationally, were affected by the strike."

Last night the Mirror learned 10,000 workers in London are planning another strike next weekend.

And union leaders warned up to 30,000 could join a further national day of action in a couple of weeks.

The CWU says more than 500 offices across the country including the whole of Essex and much of East Anglia have asked to be balloted for strikes.

They are furious with Royal Mail for freezing pay, axing jobs, switching roles to part-time and cutting pensions.

Royal Mail boss Adam Crozier said the CWU was resisting modernisation vital to the survival of the business.

Mr Ward urged Royal Mail to avoid more action by taking up the union's offer of a three-month ceasefire to allow time to discuss modernisation.

[robert37uk]

TAKE A WEEK TO CLEAR WELL JUDGING BY THE AMOUNT WE TOOK OUT TODAY I THINK ITS ABOUT CLEAR ALREADY

[axeman]

travel around a bit yea ???? very bold statment youv'e made there got the evidence to back it up ??? or just toeing the line ???

[robert37uk]

travel around a bit yea ???? very bold statment youv'e made there got the evidence to back it up ??? or just toeing the line ???

NO I DONT HAVE THE EVIDENCE TO BACK IT UP, BUT THEN THERE IS CERTAINLY NO EVIDENCE FOR ANYONE TO SAY THE BACKLOG MAY LAST A WEEK

[axeman]

No need to shout !!! but i guess many here on this forum would most certainly dissagree with you and they would have far more knowledge than yourself maybe would have the full picture ?

[Martin Walsh]

Robert we were only on strike on Friday the first time everyone was out inclduing all 3 mail centres. Royal Mail have stored the work and that work in mail centres have been diverted everywhere but the inward still has to be done so today you didt clear all the work from the strike.

Remember we do not have the same staffing on sundays as we use to ie sunday collections and we do not have the same weekend levels of overtime. The impact will only be known in the next few days but you can judge Royal Mail`s concerns by the fact they have decided to turn the London Mail centres into inward mail units only.

Sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture and take into account the total effect before you judge whether its been effective.

[k979aaa]

Time will tell but if staff think they can come in early (before time and everything will be hunky dory) they are wrong!. A strike is only as good as the backing it gets and the unity and solidarity within that office/ branch!.

[baldrick]

We're still clearing backlog of 2c mail at Mount Pleasant, and management
have been diverting Inward Foreign mail.

[flaminmoses]

i bet the bonus triggering letters were forced through.

[Martin Walsh]

Back logs still being cleared up from last Fridays strike day. Work being diverted everywhere and Royal Mail have cancelled both the 1 and 3 o clock collections to order the drivers to go and deliver packets.

To think this tread started with a criticism that we were not causing Royal Mail problems well the facts are that the disputing is hurting them and putting a great strain on management who are having to do our work.

[Ahebban]

Irrespective of the final outcome, units in London, Scotland and elsewhere should be applauded for their determination, their resilience, their tenacity and their careful planning to counter RMs disregard of the spirit and content of the 2007 Pay & Mod Agmnt.

Not all Units, Branches and Areas have been brave enough to take the plunge as yet, so let us hope that CWU HQ/PEC give positive backing to a national ballot that is being urged from CWU members, and point the way forward.