Commuting doesn't pay for MC shift workers

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In reply to your article Mail Staff Refuse To Commute (The Sentinel, January 29). I feel I must clarify the situation of the 300 staff that "refuse" to travel to Warrington.

Royal Mail relies substantially on a number of part-time workers, particularly on the evening shifts when mail volumes are heaviest.

The majority of these workers are women with family and other commitments, who work the 5pm to 10pm or 6pm to 10pm shift pattern because it fits in with their responsibilities. These workers include single parents, widowed mothers, and carers of elderly or disabled relatives. Most of them live locally and walk, cycle or bus to work.

Royal Mail is showing a total disregard for these employees.

Royal Mail is expecting them to make a daily 70-mile round trip to Warrington on one of the most dangerous and congested motorways in the country. At least two hours extra travelling time must be allowed especially at peak commuter periods. With a meagre travel allowance offered to those with their own transport. For those who use the proposed, but still not definite, staff bus there will be no extra allowances. This equates to a six-hour shift for four hours pay.

For these workers the disruption in their routine and being so far away if they are needed in an emergency makes the move to Warrington impossible.

Members of the Royal Mail-appointed 'clear choice team' were due to meet with employees in January and make their job offers. These talks have now been put back to March, with the intended move and closure of Crewe Mail Centre in May.

As the weeks are rapidly approaching with still no clear decisions made, when do Royal Mail intend to put an end to the intolerable stress employees and their families are enduring?

GAYNOR MURPHY

Crewe Mail Centre