Firms prepare to fill postal strike gaps

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/4 ... rike_gaps/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

CONFIDENCE in the Royal Mail is rock bottom because of ongoing strikes, according to a courier.

Mark Butler, owner of Eco-link, said the current 24-hour strike, which saw 870 workers at Dorcan walk out at 4am this morning, would further weaken trust in the company and help start-ups like his to thrive.

The 42-year-old believes his Blunsdon-based company, which began operating in June this year, has already seen a 30 per cent rise in business because Royal Mail customers are wary of the company’s ‘strike-induced unreliability’.

The entrepreneur, who uses two electric scooters to complete Swindon deliveries, said depending on package weight and size his service can be cheaper than Royal Mail and is almost always better for the environment.

He said: “The strike is certainly making people think twice - it is good news for us.

“We provide same-day service in Swindon for £4.50 and we are 100 per cent reliable.

“I think customers are getting a bit fed-up, it is important that we let them know that there is still a reliable, eco-friendly and inexpensive way to deliver goods.

“Our business is growing and long may that continue; this strike does nothing but help our cause.”

Chris Rye, branch secretary of the Communication Workers' Union (CWU), said although he believed other organisations were thriving off the backs of the strikes, he said in the end Royal Mail’s price, quality and service were unbeatable.

He said: “People that go elsewhere will find a higher cost without the same service.

“Yes there is a downturn when strikes are on-going, but we get our customers back very quickly because we are dedicated to customer service and quality. We do 90 per cent of our deliveries the next day – and we far outperform other postal companies in Europe.

“We provide a six-day service as opposed to others five-day service and we charge 37p whereas on the continent they charge 90p to £1.”

Mr Rye saved some words for members of the public who begrudge Royal Mail employees for disrupting service.

He added: “The workers signed an agreement – they expect that to be honoured.

“When someone tries to erode or change the terms and conditions of that contract, we have a right to challenge them.

“There are times for writing letters and then there’s a time for industrial action.

“We are all working class folk who have decided to stand up and fight for our rights.

“I want to remind the public that the ballot which led to this action was done democratically.

”Whenever you take this sort of action there will always be consequences – but those were weighed up before voting took place.”

He added the 870 staff included 800 people from the processing centre, and 70 network drivers. He expected 100-150 staff to take part in picketing today.

[andy2007]

How surprising: A Competitor reporting about how bad things are for customers of RM.

Parcels2go even have their own "news" Channel on YouTube. Perhaps if they could actually do what we do, I might get worried. But at the moment, I'm completely unimpressed.

[baldrick]

I'm sure people will be queueing up to get their letter delivered (within Swindon) for £4.50.
He might even have to get a third electric scooter - but if I were him I'd get it on a short lease.

[janitor]

hand him a letter and 37p see how far they will take it.

[BELIAL]

Wish some of our "competitors" would start competing, the decline in volume is f***ing my back on daily basis

[axeman]

just heard on the jungle drum (eco friendly) that his eletric artic has broken down on the m1 but a fleet of eco scooters is on it's way to help