However it never used to be this way. When I started 20 odd years ago Christmas time at RM was something we looked forward to, being a golden time of less walking and a chance to earn almost unlimited overtime.
Let me explain.
You see we only had to cover the ground once at Christmas instead of the two normal deliveries. An average delivery span back then was around 2hrs so the extra workload would perhaps add another 40 mins to the span but you were only going out once. All junk mail (mailsort) was suspended over the xmas period so you had lighter letters. Internet shopping had not even been thought of. D2d (or households as it was known) were also not handled. In fact for my first few years did not even exist.
Typically the last week before Christmas we would start at 5am and finish the delivery by noon, however the week before that saw you going home much earlier. You would be paid a set amount of overtime each day which was normally 2.5 hrs or so. If you wanted to earn extra money you could stay on when you returned from the delivery and sort outer mail for as long as you wanted. Some would still be there when the office was closed at 7pm earning 9.5 hrs OT a day.
Christmas eve had a special warm feeling in the office. We all started 30 mins early but no overtime was paid that day. All the heavy work had been delivered the day before. The night staff (remember those guys) had cracked on and sorted all the remaining mail in the office. You collected in your walks mail (in one trip) and placed it into the frame but you only took out first and dated mail to actually deliver. Typically this would be less than one bag on the front of your cycle. The office was totally clear of any Christmas related mail.
Everyone would wish each over a merry Christmas and out you would go on your bike and start delivering by torch light before most people had even got up. In fact as you tiptoed around you could here people's alarm clocks ringing. The mail was so light that all would be done in just over an hour. A quick return to the office and then back home before 8am. You arrived home kinda buzzing and not feeling totally exhausted and ready to drop as we do now.
Yes you had to go back the day after boxing day but the mailsort was still held back and you just had to clear the normal mail. Another light day and back home before 9am to return to the family and continue the Christmas celebration.
Customers respected the service back then, wished you well, gave tips and we made a very good profit despite the government taking most of it.
How things have changed.
