Wolverhampton Royal Mail staff in wages blunder get vouchers

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011 ... -vouchers/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Temporary Royal Mail staff are to be given vouchers to exchange for cash after a blunder saw them go without pay for more than a fortnight.

Hundreds of staff were recruited to handle the Christmas post at the North West Midlands Mail Centre in Sun Street, Wolverhampton, but many have not been paid since November 29.

The mail centre handles all the post for the Black Country and Staffordshire and has been processing up to 180,000 parcels a night in the run-up to Christmas.

Around 400 temporary workers have been recruited.

One worker said 178 people were in a meeting yesterday and were promised the vouchers to swap for cash at a branch of the Post Office.

But she said: “They promised to send us a text message as soon as they have them, but then we have to go back and get them. There’s still no guarantee we will be paid.”

Staff had threatened to walk out and at least six left their posts early on Wednesday.

Now bosses have promised that if they could not be paid directly into their bank accounts last night, they would have a voucher to take to a Post Office to collect their wages in cash

However some say they still did not get the money when they finished shifts yesterday.

Royal Mail this year set up an in-house company called Angard to manage temporary recruitment. Staff have blamed this new arrangement for the problem.

Royal Mail spokesman Heulyn Gwyn Davies, said: “Difficulties with the payroll system have meant that some temporary workers have not been paid on time or by the correct amount. We apologise for this as our temporary Christmas staff are very important to us.

“The vast majority of our Christmas temporary recruits are being paid as usual into their bank accounts today. Where this is not possible, we are making huge efforts to put in place an additional payment channel.

“This involves staff receiving a barcoded letter which can then be redeemed for the relevant amount of cash at any Post Office branch.

“We apologise again for any inconvenience this may cause.”

Read more: http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011 ... z1gnzeuRH2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[madcyril71]

that will pay the bills a voucher

[simpson]

I'm currently working at Wolverhamptons Northwest mail centre, and what a week its been, repeatedly told you will be paid tomorrow, or its being processed and you will receive it in 48hrs. Well yesterday we were told we will receive a voucher for £350 which can be cashed at any post office branch, our phone numbers were taken and told to await a text when the vouchers were available to collect, I received a phone call in the afternoon asking for me to come into work so I can be paid, I received £350 cash!!!! Just in time for christmas, but not looking forward to next payday if this is what it takes to be paid.

[mahrm1]

So these vouchers they are giving is tax and ni already deducted?

[fishtank]

So these vouchers they are giving is tax and ni already deducted?

No.
They are simply a credit on future net earnings.
Be careful when working out what you've earned to date that you allow scope for tax and NI on the full amount.
You may find next weeks pay is actually in the red especially if you are on emergency tax.

[markadam1962]

So we will owe Angard money?

I will change my voicemail message to say "sorry all lines are busy" won't open emails and ignore all letters. See how they like it!

[DGP1]

So we will owe Angard money?

I will change my voicemail message to say "sorry all lines are busy" won't open emails and ignore all letters. See how they like it!

Maybe, maybe not, it depends on how many hours you've done that you haven't been paid for (and what your tax status is).