Unions call on customers to 'Save your local sorting office'

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Unions call on customers to ‘Save your local sorting office’ - Regis Road site set to close

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POSTAL workers want customers to help them save a threatened sorting office in Kentish Town.

Staff at the Regis Road building have been told it will be shut ahead of a move to a Euston depot in October. The Post Office say the site, which has a three-year lease on it, is no longer economically viable due to the falling numbers of letters being sent by the public.

But posties, who have ruled out industrial action, claim it will mean later deliveries for residents in the NW5 area – and also make it harder to collect packages that can’t fit through letter boxes.

Communications Workers Union (CWU) representative Pat Carey appealed to customers to join the battle to keep the office in business.

He said: “We want people and businesses who use our service to stand up and say they do not want us to move.”

The CWU have suggested that a compromise solution would be for the office to stay open for parcels and enquiries. This would mean Kentish Town residents would not have to go to Euston to collect packages.

Mr Carey said: “The timescale is ridiculous. Someone from Royal Mail came in last week and told the workforce that the place would be closed by October 18. This will make the service very hard to use for older people or those with disabilities.”

He also disputed the need to close the office – despite the Royal Mail claiming huge losses have forced them to rationalise. While the numbers of personal letters has changed due to email, the rise of online shopping means the workload is still thriving

“We deliver more packets now, more than ever,” said Mr Carey. “But customers say they won’t want to use the Royal Mail if they have to go all the way to Euston to get their packages.”

Around 40 staff would be affected by the closure – with many facing uncertainty over job security.

“They have said they may move us to driving duties, but the fact is not all of us can drive,” said Mr Carey.

“The future for many of us is up in the air, and some post staff simply do not know where they will be transferred to.”

Holborn and St Pancras Labour MP Frank Dobson called on Royal Mail should rethink their plans.

He said: “We have seen lots of sorting office closures and lots of job losses and each time we have been promised a better service.

“The fact is with fewer staff and offices it makes it very hard to provide the service people expect.”

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “The move of the Kentish Town operation, which delivers mail to customers in the NW5 postcode area, will provide improved working conditions, secure employment and a more cost-effective operation.”

[R@YAL F@IL]

Royal Mail spokesman said: “The move of the Kentish Town operation, which delivers mail to customers in the NW5 postcode area, will provide improved working conditions, secure employment and a more cost-effective operation.”

Secure employment Don't let the managers see this

[DGP1]

Is it and DO or a MC or a Post Office?

[Lounge Lizard]

Is it and DO or a MC or a Post Office?

Delivery Offices.