Union says Royal Mail can beat private couriers in snow

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Union says Royal Mail can beat private couriers in snow deliveries

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The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has praised Royal Mail Group's £20m investment to keep deliveries going during the severe weather, insisting private firms cannot match its service.

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, claims Royal Mail should remain in the public sector to ensure high delivery standards are maintained. He highlighted the firm's £20m investment last week in recruiting 250 extra lorry drivers to cope with parcel backlogs caused by the snow.

He says: "In contrast, supermarkets and private couriers are cancelling or refusing to guarantee deliveries. This is the difference between a public service and private companies, which are more interested in their profits."

Hayes' statement is partly supported by Neil Cotty, MD at parcel and carrier manager Global Freight Solutions (GFS), who warns the ongoing wintery weather is likely to hamper delivery times further.

Cotty says: "The last few days have seen an incredible effort from carriers to try and ensure that parcels are delivered as close to schedule as possible. However, they have been thwarted by the snow, which means that in places like Scotland or the North-East of England, it may take up to six days to make all deliveries. Half of that outstanding volume is accounted for by backlog remaining from before the current pre-Christmas peak began in earnest."

In response to the government's plan to privatise Royal Mail, Hayes warns: "If the government gets its way and privatises Royal Mail, then delivery standards will undoubtedly slip away, as the expensive universal service is left at the mercy of privateers."

[Lincox]

Billy keeps ranting about privitisation and even praises Royal Mail in order to make another jibe at the coalition government. Fair play but when o when is his sidekick going to make an announcement on the clawback etc problems that are tarnishing this christmas period.