POSTAL STAFF DO DOUBLE-TIME TO COPE WITH CHRISTMAS

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 01 Dec 2016, 15:17

https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/p ... christmas/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Like the components of a clock, everybody at Dundee’s central postage depot has an essential function to make sure everything runs smoothly.

And with the Christmas period seeing the team deliver more than 7,000 parcels a day, the operation is working double-time.

This year, the central delivery office in Edward Street will be dealing with around 3,000 more items a day in the run-up to December 25 than any other time of the year.

To ease the increase, 13 postal vans have been added to Dundee’s 205-vehicle fleet and an additional 30 temporary part-time staff have been hired.

As the Tele visited the depot to see the sheer volume of sorting that will be the norm for the next 24 days, one postman sorting his route said the period could be summed up in one word — “hectic”.

Sarah Ward, area manager for the DD postcode zone, said the increase in the amount of work means everyone working for Royal Mail has to work nearly every hour of the day to complete the daily deliveries.

She said: “The run-up to Christmas, without a doubt, is the busiest time for everyone. It’s all go.

“More staff are taken on and more vehicles are added to deal solely with the volume of parcels coming through the doors. There’s no annual leave at this time either.

“All hands need to be on deck to ensure that the increased volume of parcels are delivered promptly. The days get longer as well.

“Posties, who usually finish their shifts at 2.30pm or 3pm, will be working right through to 8pm or 9pm. Everyone has a vital job to do and every parcel has a place to go.”

The increase of Christmas cards causes the mail bags to bulge to bursting point — but in recent times it has been the increase of bulkier parcels which has been the biggest change dealt with by the posties.

Sarah, who has worked for Royal Mail for 12 years — operating as area manager for five of those — said people are ordering bulkier parcels compared to previous years.

She said: “With most entertainment now able to download, such as films and box sets, we are starting to see fewer of the DVD-sized parcels.

“We are also seeing that people are ordering fewer books as well.

“What we are having to deliver more of are the big parcels.

“These contain bigger, bulkier items which means vans are having to make more trips to and from the depot to finish their deliveries.

“The bigger the parcels, the less space there is in the van.

“There has also been a rise in the number of recorded deliveries which means we have to make sure the customer signs off on the delivery.

“The workload is demanding but it’s been handled really well.”

Cath Vaughan, 58, has been a postie for 23 years.

She said: “The work has increased considerably.

“When I started I would carry out two deliveries in the one day during the Christmas period.

“Now I’ll do about eight a day. It’s hard work but it needs to be done.”

Kevin Young, 40, another postman who started as temporary staff last year, said: “There’s one word for this time of the year — hectic — but we all work together and get the job done.”

worktotime · Post by **worktotime** » 01 Dec 2016, 17:08

good job where 10% down as of this time last year in our area as our area manager said

that's why there are yorks of parcels and pkts and mail being left as some posties aren't prepare to work till stupid oclock , and that's because of the way they have been treated by the dom.

oypostie · Post by **oypostie** » 01 Dec 2016, 18:03

Extra vans, extra staff... Doesn't sound like my office

Post by **saddlerposty** » 01 Dec 2016, 18:33

she used to do two deliveries a day, now she does eight

. me smell big heap of buffalo poo.

wannabeek · Post by **wannabeek** » 01 Dec 2016, 18:51

Yes, big buffalo poo. More likely used to work 2 hrs a day for 8 hrs pay, now has to actually work 8!

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 01 Dec 2016, 19:00

she probably said bags but the journo misreported her comments

rubberbond · Post by **rubberbond** » 02 Dec 2016, 17:17

She's been here for 12 years,five of them as area manager,which five I wonder. How does she know what people are ordering,probably wouldn't know a packet bag if she fell over the damned thing.

Surreypostie · Post by **Surreypostie** » 04 Dec 2016, 14:03

Good old Dundee, could they pop down and give us a hand, we aren't working till 8 or 9 pm. Goodwill has left the building and run off with the fat lady. If it all gets delivered by Easter I will be surprised.

Post by **GT750rider** » 05 Dec 2016, 11:55

“Posties, who usually finish their shifts at 2.30pm or 3pm, will be working right through to 8pm or 9pm. Everyone has a vital job to do and every parcel has a place to go.”
Well, I won't be !

Burghboy · Post by **Burghboy** » 05 Dec 2016, 16:42

Load of bollocks, am in another dundee do and we can't get in some days not enough overtime going.