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"Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
framusjsx
Posts: 88
Joined: 15 Mar 2012, 16:53
Gender: Male

"Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Post by framusjsx »

A genuine word to word quote from our union rep this morning.. (on his once every 2 year visit)

I have to say I just laughed in his face.

What I wanted to know and had no sucess with here is:

Please can someone explain exactly what are the rules for xmas and cutting off?


Happy to do my fair share but I refuse to be out for 2 hours plus every day. No one will give me a straight forward answer.
Chelseablue
Posts: 2222
Joined: 19 Aug 2013, 14:33
Gender: Female

Re: "Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Post by Chelseablue »

We've noticed the doms bein more stressed,vocal and everything's our fault again . Oh that's right we've no staff,the place is already in a mess and christmas is cominggggggg .
TrueBlueTerrier
FORUM ADMINISTRATOR
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Re: "Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Post by TrueBlueTerrier »

framusjsx wrote: Please can someone explain exactly what are the rules for xmas and cutting off?
Exactly the same as the rest of the year, there is no difference.
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malcolm3011
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 303
Joined: 05 Aug 2010, 18:42
Gender: Male

Re: "Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Post by malcolm3011 »

With our staffing situation looks like we will be lapsing right into Christmas, we need 4 extra staff and just been told we are only getting two. :cry
Bahia Feliz
Posts: 1169
Joined: 22 Sep 2008, 21:04
Gender: Male

Re: "Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Post by Bahia Feliz »

malcolm3011 wrote:With our staffing situation looks like we will be lapsing right into Christmas, we need 4 extra staff and just been told we are only getting two. :cry
Only lapse if you have time in your duty time.
NewPostieUK
Posts: 2104
Joined: 06 Jan 2008, 21:38
Gender: Male
Location: SickAsAChipLand

Re: "Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Post by NewPostieUK »

I found it to be an easy two weeks to be honest. We had packet duties doing out packets, so just took out letters and very small packets. There was however, friction. The person on packet duty took exception to the amount of packets I left. He said something like 'you are only meant to leave what you can't get in your bag'. I couldn't be bothered to argue, just told him to do whatever he had been told to do and if he had a problem see the manager.

I went over most days, but found doing hardly any packets to be quite stress free. I also found it easier to work to my time on the days I wanted to, I didn't need to explain myself, argue etc.
dave72
Posts: 415
Joined: 30 Nov 2010, 14:54
Gender: Male

Re: "Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Post by dave72 »

I can't wait for Christmas, it will be like an house of cards falling around the dom's :dance
SpacePhoenix
MAIL CENTRES/PROCESSING
Posts: 12178
Joined: 12 Nov 2008, 17:03
Gender: Male

Re: "Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Post by SpacePhoenix »

Don't know about in DOs but in MCs xmas pressure actually kicks in around the beginning of November and by the middle of the official xmas pressure it's normally dropped right off apart from Tracked and Specials
OnAFlyer
Posts: 1938
Joined: 16 Aug 2009, 14:24
Gender: Male

Re: "Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Post by OnAFlyer »

It used to be. The cards didn't make up for the lack of mail sort, and Internet shopping wasn't really around then. Once over the ground and home for 11, that was only a few years ago.

Now it's totally different, complete shite and cut offs most days. So in a way it is easy, as we get out so late we actually do less delivering.
OnAFlyer
Posts: 1938
Joined: 16 Aug 2009, 14:24
Gender: Male

Re: "Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Post by OnAFlyer »

SpacePhoenix wrote:Don't know about in DOs but in MCs xmas pressure actually kicks in around the beginning of November and by the middle of the official xmas pressure it's normally dropped right off apart from Tracked and Specials
That's the stupid thing, while MC's are on pressure with hundreds of temporary staff, we aren't and get no more office hours until December!
Hitcher
Posts: 1530
Joined: 20 Sep 2009, 09:59
Gender: Male

Re: "Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Post by Hitcher »

Christmas is great as I finish on my time and my partner does the rest as overtime.
rick184
Posts: 62
Joined: 22 Apr 2007, 21:10

Re: "Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Post by rick184 »

I've noticed the flats tail off but the packets obviously increase. Not too bad if you have packet relief duties. Last year one from each van share went out early and got rid of some of the packets between 0700-0830.
Rory
Posts: 90
Joined: 09 Aug 2012, 12:42
Gender: Male

Re: "Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Post by Rory »

NewPostieUK wrote:I found it to be an easy two weeks to be honest. We had packet duties doing out packets, so just took out letters and very small packets. There was however, friction. The person on packet duty took exception to the amount of packets I left. He said something like 'you are only meant to leave what you can't get in your bag'. I couldn't be bothered to argue, just told him to do whatever he had been told to do and if he had a problem see the manager.

I went over most days, but found doing hardly any packets to be quite stress free. I also found it easier to work to my time on the days I wanted to, I didn't need to explain myself, argue etc.
Why chuck them ALL out? He was right to question you, you should take your fair share if you can fit them in your bag. You had an 'easy two weeks' at the expense of a fellow postie. Who has an easy Christmas, really?
OnAFlyer
Posts: 1938
Joined: 16 Aug 2009, 14:24
Gender: Male

Re: "Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Post by OnAFlyer »

rick184 wrote:I've noticed the flats tail off but the packets obviously increase. Not too bad if you have packet relief duties. Last year one from each van share went out early and got rid of some of the packets between 0700-0830.
So who sorted the mail and threw the walks off? We are on IPS until after 8 every day at Christmas and regularly don't get out until 10.30. If half the office went out delivering packets we wouldn't get out of the office until after 11am. Nice short delivery though :nana
NewPostieUK
Posts: 2104
Joined: 06 Jan 2008, 21:38
Gender: Male
Location: SickAsAChipLand

Re: "Christmas is the easiest 2 weeks of the year"

Post by NewPostieUK »

Rory wrote: Why chuck them ALL out? He was right to question you, you should take your fair share if you can fit them in your bag.
Because if I didn't then I'd have to leave letters instead, and the manager wasn't having that. I did more than my fair share, going over 30 -60 mins most days.
Rory wrote:You had an 'easy two weeks' at the expense of a fellow postie.
No I didn't. He was doing his job, and finished on time every day.