Italian postal service still running after 2 covid-19 related deaths of postal workers

Blinkboy44 · Post by **Blinkboy44** » 22 Mar 2020, 02:04

Just thought it was worth mentioning if it hasnt already been on here, or to any fellow posties who aren’t aware of how the postal service in Italy has been operating during all this. I’m sure most know how bad things have gotten there recently, so thought it was worth sharing a few things that may be of interest as;

1 - the UK has not taken the same measures
2 - RM hygiene standards could well be lower then Italy’s!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reu ... SKBN2153L2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

to anyone not worried yet and willing to risk lives for a company that clearly don’t give 2 sh***s about us - please look at all this info. 2 posties over there have died so far, and in conclusion, by current prediction the UK will be hit just as hard if not way harder then Italy.

If you think our duty of care is for the company and carrying on business as usual for our customers , rather then our own families and each other, i find that of deep concern..

Interested to know peoples thoughts and if so what can and should we do ?

Pumpernickel · Post by **Pumpernickel** » 22 Mar 2020, 02:12

Yesterday (21st) we hit day 16 for the UK and matched Italy with 233 deaths.

I haven't seen a comparison on cases, but we're not testing enough for anything like an accurate figure (and neither were Italy).

Personally I think our work is essential (at least some of it), but some sort of plan should be in place with us knowing something of it (even if not the full measures that could be adopted).

Information is lacking (if it even exists).

ssdd · Post by **ssdd** » 22 Mar 2020, 02:17

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed a spate of posts from posters who've joined around the 2017/2018 era, denigrating the current RM practices. I'm smelly a dirty big rat, and I don't mind saying it...

Blinkboy44 · Post by **Blinkboy44** » 22 Mar 2020, 02:20

Mark_F wrote:Personally I think our work is essential (at least some of it), but some sort of plan should be in place with us knowing something of it.

Agreed. They need to seriously change tactic and cut all non essentials. And allow those concerned about this the option for leave of absence on at least SSP if they would rather do that then work during this.

Blinkboy44 · Post by **Blinkboy44** » 22 Mar 2020, 02:24

ssdd wrote:Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed a spate of posts from posters who've joined around the 2017/2018 era, denigrating the current RM practices. I'm smelly a dirty big rat, and I don't mind saying it...

Not sure what your implying here , or the relevance of time joining, just saying it how I see it

Pumpernickel · Post by **Pumpernickel** » 22 Mar 2020, 02:32

ssdd wrote:Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed a spate of posts from posters who've joined around the 2017/2018 era, denigrating the current RM practices. I'm smelly a dirty big rat, and I don't mind saying it...

As someone who joined in 2019, I assume I'm one of your "posters denigrating". I'd suggest that, under normal circumstances, I have the benefit of enough experience to suggest to my longer serving colleagues that the current "normal" working conditions arent bad at all (they may not be as good as 10 years ago, but they are better than other sectors). That said I do understand why longer serving colleagues are reluctant to let things slip further.

With regard to "current RM practices" though, we are in a situation that is unprecidented in our lifetimes, whereby people are advised not to go to work, not to visit elderly mothers on mothers day, etc, etc, yet we have precious little information on steps we should take while delivering to anyone and everyone aside from putting a parcel down and taking 2 steps back (that I personally got second hand on this forum and wouldn't even know about that if I didn't join in 2019).

ssdd · Post by **ssdd** » 22 Mar 2020, 03:05

Mark_F wrote:
ssdd wrote:Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed a spate of posts from posters who've joined around the 2017/2018 era, denigrating the current RM practices. I'm smelly a dirty big rat, and I don't mind saying it...
As someone who joined in 2019, I assume I'm one of your "posters denigrating". I'd suggest that, under normal circumstances, I have the benefit of enough experience to suggest to my longer serving colleagues that the current "normal" working conditions arent bad at all (they may not be as good as 10 years ago, but they are better than other sectors). That said I do understand why longer serving colleagues are reluctant to let things slip further.

With regard to "current RM practices" though, we are in a situation that is unprecidented in our lifetimes, whereby people are advised not to go to work, not to visit elderly mothers on mothers day, etc, etc, yet we have precious little information on steps we should take while delivering to anyone and everyone aside from putting a parcel down and taking 2 steps back (that I personally got second hand on this forum and wouldn't even know about that if I didn't join in 2019).

I suppose I would have to include myself... given I joined in 2018....your points are noted.

FacesOfStone · Post by **FacesOfStone** » 22 Mar 2020, 06:48

What were the ages / underlying conditions of the respective employees? I think anyone in any job that can’t work from home and is part of a vulnerable group should think very hard about whether or not it’s worth risking their lives to come to work. Government advice for many people is to self-isolate for 12 weeks, and with proof of a condition it’s hard to see how Royal Mail could fail to employees in that situation sick leave for the duration.

Post by **SpacePhoenix** » 22 Mar 2020, 08:04

FacesOfStone wrote:What were the ages / underlying conditions of the respective employees? I think anyone in any job that can’t work from home and is part of a vulnerable group should think very hard about whether or not it’s worth risking their lives to come to work. Government advice for many people is to self-isolate for 12 weeks, and with proof of a condition it’s hard to see how Royal Mail could fail to employees in that situation sick leave for the duration.

AFAIK all those MC staff who are 70 or over are now self-isolating (no idea if it's paid or unpaid that they're getting)

Post by **rambo1** » 22 Mar 2020, 08:18

Going out on delivery, I don't feel, is a problem or big risk.....if you're on you're own. Shared vans and the close proximity of people while sorting in the morning (ips or at your frame) however, could be a risk and is certainly not as govt guidance re. social distancing.
Not sure how the business could get around this.
Maybe just delivery every other day and part timers come in to prep all deliveries one day while full time come in to just deliver the next day and so on. Thoughts.
Also think it's worth bearing in mind that over 99% of all (known) cases make a full recovery. In reality the figure is much much higher as many many more people will have or have had the virus and not had a test, so that number is not known and may be ten times higher. The number of deaths are known therefore the ratio of deaths to cases is in reality much much lower than the media is reporting.
Personally, I'm fit and healthy so if most of us are gonna get it, I'd sooner it be earlier rather than later, then I can get on with life without fear of catching and passing it on to less fortunate people.

Post by **rambo1** » 22 Mar 2020, 08:20

SpacePhoenix wrote:
FacesOfStone wrote:What were the ages / underlying conditions of the respective employees? I think anyone in any job that can’t work from home and is part of a vulnerable group should think very hard about whether or not it’s worth risking their lives to come to work. Government advice for many people is to self-isolate for 12 weeks, and with proof of a condition it’s hard to see how Royal Mail could fail to employees in that situation sick leave for the duration.
AFAIK all those MC staff who are 70 or over are now self-isolating (no idea if it's paid or unpaid that they're getting)

Why t f is anyone still working over 70?

2yearpostie · Post by **2yearpostie** » 22 Mar 2020, 08:40

RM are looking into getting half the office in,in a morning then out on delivery, then the 2nd half in a few hours later and then out on delivery.

koolishy67 · Post by **koolishy67** » 22 Mar 2020, 08:43

We should start 3 shift per day morning afternoon and evening less people in the office same time and immediately stop park and loop more hand-wash and hand senitizer in the office and van

viking1488 · Post by **viking1488** » 22 Mar 2020, 09:03

this report is 2 days old https://www.usnews.com/news/world/artic ... -kills-two" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
but what is going on in italy with there postmen/women is a mirror image of rm so facing the stark reality of this if god forbid this virus gets as bad as italy some of us are going to die if rm dont change and change the way we work soon

mickeymacca · Post by **mickeymacca** » 22 Mar 2020, 10:12

ssdd wrote:Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed a spate of posts from posters who've joined around the 2017/2018 era, denigrating the current RM practices. I'm smelly a dirty big rat, and I don't mind saying it...

I had noticed that, the amount of posts by new posters who have under 20 or so posts to their name, in fact some threads are dominated by these type of posters. Probably not had a reason to involve themselves before, but it was something that struck me also ssdd.

regards