Postal dispute to escalate

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/outpu ... 482t0.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The postal dispute, which led to customer complaints over the promptness of mail deliveries throughout Dundee, is likely to escalate before being resolved, a leading union official said today (writes Graham Huband).
Willie Lawson, the Communication Workers Union representative for the DD and PH postcodes, said it was probable the row over working practices would rumble on for weeks and the service to the public would degenerate further.

Staff at Dundee East and Dundee West delivery offices are currently operating an overtime ban and the Royal Mail has been forced to put contingencies in place to ensure postal deliveries continue.

It is understood managers have been drafted in to help with the physical delivery of the mail and some postal items have been diverted away from the city to other offices for the purpose of sorting.

Mr Lawson said general mail items were being delivered as normal, but in Dundee West there was a backlog of special items — advertising fliers etc — that was taking time to clear.

He also said staff at the Central Delivery Office in Dundee — the city’s only remaining postal office not to be involved in the industrial action – had indicated a wish to hold a ballot on whether they should also join the dispute.

“This is about saving the business and improving the service. This is not about money. It is about getting national agreements (on working practices)”, Mr Lawson said today.

“The union has offered the business a three-month moratorium to sit down, cancel these strikes and get some kind of agreement in place but the business hasn’t responded.”

Mr Lawson said a lack of movement from the employer’s side made it increasingly likely the dispute would escalate with more CWU branches becoming involved.

He said it was possible a strike could be declared in London on Friday (June 19) and such a move would only add impetus to the industrial action being taken elsewhere across the country.

He continued, “I would expect the people of Dundee will get a worse service because of the situation. The union apologises to the public but, as I said before, this has got to be settled as soon as possible at a national level.

“There are other offices in our area which have requested ballots in the next couple of weeks. My view is that if we don’t get a national resolution the industrial dispute will escalate and that will mean a delay in the mail.

“It looks like it is going to drag on if the Government, the Royal Mail and the union don’t get their heads together.”

The Royal Mail last week confirmed it was continuing to work with the CWU both on a national and local level to resolve the impasse.

A spokesperson said the company was doing “all we can” to ensure disruption was minimised and said contingency plans had ensured that the Universal Service Obligation placed on the firm was continuing to be met despite the dispute.

ROYAL MAIL MEETING REQUEST

A Dundee councillor today said he had requested a face-to-face meeting with Royal Mail management following continuing concerns about “very clear” problems with mail deliveries in the city’s West End (writes Graham Huband).

Cllr Fraser Macpherson said he had received a “steady stream” of complaints about the post despite a previous assurance from Royal Mail that his constituents were receiving a normal service.

The West End representative told the Tele today he had now requested a site visit to Dundee West delivery office and a formal meeting with management to discuss the ongoing situation. He said, “When I was last speaking with Royal Mail’s public relations department, I received assurances that whilst there had been some build up of mailsort deliveries — mainly advertising mailshots — the problems were being tackled and that constituents should be experiencing a normal mail service.

“However, since then I have continued to receive a steady stream of complaints. I have therefore spoken with the Royal Mail’s Dundee West Sorting Office manager requesting a visit and a meeting with Royal Mail management.

“The manager has confirmed she will be back in touch with me regarding possible dates.

“It is very clear to me that there are delivery issues that Royal Mail management have to tackle and I therefore think it important that I discuss my constituents concerns with them as soon as possible.”

[Broxi51]

My guess is that a convoy of articulated lorries will arrive one night and take some mail away for a while until the councillor had been to the office. Cynic? Moi? No, I work for RM!!!!