'It's the worst it's been for 20 years' claims Debden Postie

[TrueBlueTerrier]

'It's the worst it's been for 20 years', claims Debden-based postman following introduction of new routes

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/efnews/13343235._/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Postmen and women are stressed, overworked and failing to complete deliveries because of major recent changes, it has been claimed.

A man, who said he was an employee of Royal Mail and asked to remian anonymous, detailed an increase in workload caused by new routes which have left staff struggling and in fear of losing their jobs.

This, he said, had lead to some delivery staff illegally taking mail home to avoid disciplinary meetings.

Time constraints and unfeasible demands on postmen and women has had a knock-on effect on customers, with people claiming deliveries are sporadic and regularly late, he said.

The problems are reportedly affecting areas served by Debden sorting office, which took over roads previously handled by Woodford Green and Loughton offices last autumn.

New routes were recently introduced in the IG7, IG8, IG9 and IG10 postcode areas as Royal Mail proceeds with a programme of “transforming and modernising” its services.

Computer modelling has produced impossibly long schedules, according to the postman.

“The planners have it all wrong,” he said.

“Some of [the routes], they are impossible.

“A lot of the postmen are struggling and I get the feeling some of them would be bullied if they cut off, if they did not complete their route.

“If you go back to the office you have to have a personal meeting… if you underperform then you will get laid off.”

Incomplete deliveries are a daily occurrence, the source said.

“Right now I know people who did not complete today, because they had mail from the day before.

“When they have not completed, they get it back in the van so it is snow-balling.

“Some customers are not getting mail for two days or even more.”

In addition to delays, deliveries have become sporadic as postmen struggle to keep up.

One man living in Trotwood, Chigwell, said he was shocked to receive post as he was relaxing on Easter Sunday.

He said: “On Easter Sunday at 4.30pm the postman started delivering post.

“When we phoned up they told us it was impossible because the office was closed.

“It transpired they were taking post home with them - that is a criminal offence.”

Responding to concerns, Royal Mail spokeswoman Sally Hopkins said that recent changes had not resulted in any loss of jobs and were made with the full support of post-workers union CWU, a claim disputed by the anonymous postman.

Ms Hopkins said: “These changes do require a period of adjustment for staff and we are working very hard to ensure that these changes bed in as quickly as possible.”

She added: “If we make any changes to these routes, computer planning is a starting point but only a starting point.

“This information is supplemented with local knowledge and other practical considerations.”

No plans have been announced for the changes to be reversed and deliveries will continue on the new routes.

Despite the immense pressures, the postman said it would be impossible for him to leave.

He said: “I have got to carry on because I have got a wife and kids.

“I have been doing it for 20 years and this is the worst I have seen it.

“There have been savings, but the way they have gone about it, it is too far, too deep and we cannot cope.”

[arnold cheshire]

"Hear hear, this is clearly a case of the postman always moans twice. They get to stroll around in the fresh air all day with the most challenging part of their job being having to match the number on the letter with the number of the house, round my way they are all in the pub drinking by 3pm so they can't be that busy." This is a fantastic quote from the newspaper comments

[matta]

Bit worrying if this is the case during the quietest time of the year! How much extra have they added to the walks?

[mudmonster]

Isn't it about time those planners joined the real world and some of the union reps [SOME] just look after their own duties in a revision with the planner ,lets shaft everybody else

[pants123]

WOW, only just realising now, its been 4 years for us, and everyone is beaten to a pulp, loads on the sick with mental issues now, stress and anxiety...

Its never been as bad...

[borgpicard]

Isn't it about time those planners joined the real world and some of the union reps [SOME] just look after their own duties in a revision with the planner ,lets shaft everybody else

Us Union reps, dont just look after ourselves, in fact i argued at nearly every meeting with planners, to no avail, they do exactly as they please listening to DIMs and Lions

[Darren Bent]

Then Royal Mail need to stop using those planners. But they won't