Worse class post?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.lep.co.uk/news/features_2_18 ... _1_3552048" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lancashire’s posties fear the county is heading for meltdown as they are pushed off their bikes and into vans to make their deliveries.


The new ‘park and loop’ system had already caused chaos at sorting offices in Leyland, Morecambe and Carnforth, and problems are still yet to be resolved at the Preston mail centre, where it was brought in just over two months ago.

The new system sees deliverers drive to the starting point of their round, and then walking round with high-capacity trolleys packed with thousands of letters for more than four hours.

It has still to be rolled out to more than three-quarters of the county, with postal workers predicting a surge in late deliveries as workers struggle to get to grips with the new system.

Today, the Evening Post can also reveal the details of our exclusive survey, which shows Lancashire’s business community supporting the service.

One worker at the Preston Mail Centre, on Pittman Way, Fulwood, said it was already seeing problems caused by the introduction of the system at the end of April.

They said: “There are problems with people not being able to complete their rounds, and in other cases there are letters and packages going in the wrong baskets, because people are not used to the system.

“They are teething problems, but the management do not seem to be learning from the mistakes they are making in other places, and just rolling out ‘park and loop’ everywhere.”

Another postal worker said the introduction of the system at Leyland’s sorting office in December led to Christmas cards still being delivered at the end of January.

They said: “It was ridiculous, it got that out of hand that we had managers from all over the place coming to Leyland, and going out delivering.

“There were people who were not getting any deliveries for days, and after that they said they would not roll this out anywhere else until they had sorted out the problems.

“Now it is going everywhere.”

Stuart Caddy, of postal workers’ Communication Workers’ Union (CWU), said the problems had forced Royal Mail to “back-pedal” on forcing through the roll-out, but said it would return.

He said: “If it works correctly, park and loop will be to the benefit of our members, but it cannot be rushed through, which has been the case.

“I think Royal Mail has taken a step back and looked at what has happened in these other places, and I think there has been a bit of a back-pedal.

“I have no doubt that it will come back and, if it is not done in the right way, I cannot see how it will not cause more problems.”

Our survey showed that more than half (56%) of the more than 200 businesses which took part in our survey were “satisfied” by the service they received from Royal Mail, with a further 10% saying they were “very satisfied” with the service.

They also showed that 73% of companies only used Royal Mail for their mail services, with 30% saying the service they receive had remained unchanged for the last five years.

But the study showed more than half (59%) of businesses said they had lost mail in the post.

Norman Tenray, managing director of Longridge-based builders merchants, OBAS Group, which spends more than £1,000 with Royal Mail every month, said it had seen a deterioration.

He blamed that on the “stripping out of the most profitable parts of the business” by opening up the UK mail market.

The boss said: “I cannot help but be concerned if the proposed banking plans to abolish cheques in a few years will be the final nail in the coffin for the Royal Mail, as some tough decisions will definitely need to be made regarding the structure, service and size of the organisation.

“What we need is that a review of the service should be carried out to identify the issues, and, if specific areas such as Lancashire are adversely affected, then deal with them.”

Today, Royal Mail admitted there had been “isolated problems” due to the new system, but said the changes were designed to lighten the load for posties.

The company also denied it was looking to scrap next day deliveries, despite a planned challenge being mounted to ensure Royal Mail adheres to its Universal Service obligations, which requires staff to deliver every day, six days a week.

A spokesman said it had suffered problems “in a very small number of areas” which it was seeking to resolve.

He said: “In many parts of the country we are making changes to modernise the business, and if there are teething problems we will seek to solve them.”

“At times of the year there’s less mail to deliver, so we ask staff to cover the duties of other people, but if overtime is needed, we will pay it.”

[pants123]

we have our P&L SINCE LAST YEAR....... and it's still a living hell.......... I WISH WE DID NOT HAVE TO SUFFER LIKE THIS...... but managers don't give a s**t about posties.... so all i can say is welcome to hell........... it's that BAD.......

[wayoutman]

loads in our DO signed off with "park and loop sickness".

[Stormproof]

Today, Royal Mail admitted there had been “isolated problems” due to the new system, but said the changes were designed to lighten the load for posties.

'ISOLATED PROBLEMS'

[bsaman]

Hi in my office in Haslemere we are allready in living hell. Lack of staff taking no one on, del not going out and thats without super loop crap job now.

[Straight4ward]

Stuart Caddy, of postal workers’ Communication Workers’ Union (CWU), said - - - “If it works correctly, park and loop will be to the benefit of our members - - - "

Disappointed to see the Union still toeing the party line. Isn't it time they acknowledged that it ain't working
and started to look at alternatives?

[north london driver]

Stuart Caddy, of postal workers’ Communication Workers’ Union (CWU), said - - - “If it works correctly, park and loop will be to the benefit of our members - - - "

Disappointed to see the Union still toeing the party line. Isn't it time they acknowledged that it ain't working
and started to look at alternatives?

park and loop will be to the benefit of our members, if it is not working and the rep is still coming out with quotes
like that then the office should vote him out. everyday postal staff all over the country come on this site and say
park and loop has screwed up there office,yet every day more offices seem to let management attempt to bring in
this new way of working.why unit reps are allowing this in there offices is beyond me.
start working for your staff or f**k off to management.