RUMOURS AFFECTING MAIL CENTRES?

[hubbahubba]

I've seen loads of possible changes to working conditions regarding delivery on BlueShirts,but bugger all about MC workers?Any news anyone?!?

[baldrick]

All we've heard is that RM are still looking to close half the MCs and reduce processing staff by 50%.
I hope we will get some info on which MCs they are targetting and how surplus staff will be dealt with.
Will there be improved VR/EVR terms?
Let's hope we get some answers next week.

[Pompey Boy]

Over the last 10 years theres been rumours that one of the south coast mail centers (Pompey, Scum sorry Southampton and Bournemouth) would go, but the problem RM have is processing mail from IOW in time for dispatch. POMC is a crap horrible place now, but at least it's close. What will happen who knows?

[disheartened]

Buncefield(Hemel Hempstead) keeps getting mentioned as a Super Mail Center for Watford,Luton,Stevenage....Hemel would obiviously be bunged in there as well.....but all rumours at the moment,its my guess RM will release some of their planned changes for 2010 as part of the agreement in the current negotiations,if they ever end

[fmrPOSTIE]

The only saving grace for Portsmouth MC is processing the IOW mail as has been said. The building is a poor design, under utilised and sits in on prime real estate. Does RM actually own its MCs still? I thought there was a program to sell them and rent them back?

[Tman]

fmrPOSTIE"]The only saving grace for Portsmouth MC is processing the IOW mail as has been said.

That and the facts that 1) the only MC which could take PO mail is SO, and they are apparently filling thier spare space with CSS machines. Had SO been installing more IMPs then things would have looked grim for PO,
and 2) an SO-PO combination would have been unmanageably big in both geographical area and the number of address points.

So, as the established facts say it's a non-starter, expect news of this very thing happening soon.....

The building is a poor design, under utilised and sits in on prime real estate. Does RM actually own its MCs still? I thought there was a program to sell them and rent them back?

Maybe you're getting mixed up with the RM automation, which is leased from the Bank of Connecticut?

[hubbahubba]

That and the facts that 1) the only MC which could take PO mail is SO, and they are apparently filling thier spare space with CSS machines. Had SO been installing more IMPs then things would have looked grim for PO,

talk of 5th IMP/IMPEX to replace the CFC that is never used,so don't count them chickens just yet....

[SpacePhoenix]

The only saving grace for Portsmouth MC is processing the IOW mail as has been said. The building is a poor design, under utilised and sits in on prime real estate. Does RM actually own its MCs still? I thought there was a program to sell them and rent them back?

IOW stuff could be sorted at Southampton MC and sent across by ferry. AFAIK Dorset and Southampton MCs are leased and Portsmouth is owned by RM.

Is the local council still going to build the dual carriageway near to Portsmouth MC?

[fmrPOSTIE]

IOW mail goes over and back via the Hovercraft, a quick process all in all. There was talk of Islanders setting up their own mail service but think its died a death....dont think Postcomm would have allowed it anyway. Regarding the motorway extension it was going to pass through the naval base at Unicorn Gate but has been ditched now due to the Navy reopening the land which was to be used.

On a seperate point; once the Mail Centre rwview has been published does this mean the remaining ones will be invested in? PO MC is looking very dated and like i say under-used. Why dont they bring in private companies to lease top floorspace or something?

[Badwolf]

IOW mail goes over and back via the Hovercraft, a quick process all in all. There was talk of Islanders setting up their own mail service but think its died a death....dont think Postcomm would have allowed it anyway. Regarding the motorway extension it was going to pass through the naval base at Unicorn Gate but has been ditched now due to the Navy reopening the land which was to be used.

On a seperate point; once the Mail Centre rwview has been published does this mean the remaining ones will be invested in? PO MC is looking very dated and like i say under-used. Why dont they bring in private companies to lease top floorspace or something?

Romour is that SO will take all of PO outward mail and and PO will be an inward office only.

[SpacePhoenix]

Where is the DO for the IOW? Is it the one DO covering the whole island? If PO was to be made an Inward office only then it would probably loose an entire shift.

[fmrPOSTIE]

I think the IOW has quite a few - Newport , Sandown, Ventnor,& Freshwater Delivery offices. Mail goes to Pompey (Mail Centre) though to be sorted then goes back the same night, within a few hours.

Is it true that SO MC has taken all of portsmouth's 2C mail?

[hubbahubba]

I think the IOW has quite a few - Newport , Sandown, Ventnor,& Freshwater Delivery offices. Mail goes to Pompey (Mail Centre) though to be sorted then goes back the same night, within a few hours.

Is it true that SO MC has taken all of portsmouth's 2C mail?

SO MC has been processing all PO 2c MECH social,PPI and meter for some time now,and i believe their flats go to Gatwick,along with SO flats.Only the packets remain as far as i know?

[Stormproof]

I've heard the ME, CT & TN MC's are going. A new MC to be built either at Swanley or just outside Maidstone.

[Pompey Boy]

Can someone explain the difference between an inward and outward MC please!