Bosses claim Watford postal chaos to be sorted next week

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Royal Mail bosses claim Watford postal chaos to be sorted next week

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/9 ... next_week/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Watford’s recent postal chaos will be back under control as early as next week according to management at the town’s Royal Mail depot.

Residents have complained of a sporadic postal service since as early as June, with some claiming they have not received deliveries for more than a month.

Managers at the Ascot Road sorting office have been inundated with complaints since the introduction of a new sorting system, which Royal Mail is implementing at depots nationwide.

Despite 12 months planning for the new system, 12 of the 93 delivery routes at the Watford office have encountered delays since it was introduced.

Grant Burgess, collections and delivery director for the Thames Valley region, spoke to the Watford Observer this week about why some of these problems have occurred.

He said: “Ten per cent of the service being affected is unacceptable but we are working to correct it. Our problems have been two fold. Geographically, some of the routes, which we worked with the Communications Workers’ Union to put together, were not working.

“We have also had to get our staff up to speed with the new system. We have a percentage of our staff that are unhappy but some people will never like change.”

Mr Burgess added that, of the 12 faulty routes, only five are now experiencing delays, and he expects those to be sorted by the start of next week.

Watford MP Richard Harrington last week labelled the situation “absolutely outrageous” and called on the national postal service to pay compensation to any businesses or individuals affected by the delays.

The Conservative politician is meeting with depot managers on September 27 to ensure the problems are resolved.

Mr Burgess said: “If people have experienced delays I would urge them to contact our customer service team and each case will be considered for compensation.

“Relationships with our customers are good locally but this is about changing the way our postmen work and changing the face of our company.

“It costs me twice as much money to deliver mail in Watford than it does in other areas so this is about making efficiencies and ensuring the business is profitable and sustainable.”

To make a claim with Royal Mail, contact the customer services team on 0845601399.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Grant Burgess, collections and delivery director for the Thames Valley region, spoke to the Watford Observer this week about why some of these problems have occurred.

He said: “Ten per cent of the service being affected is unacceptable but we are working to correct it. Our problems have been two fold. Geographically, some of the routes, which we worked with the Communications Workers’ Union to put together, were not working.

“We have also had to get our staff up to speed with the new system. We have a percentage of our staff that are unhappy but some people will never like change.”

Translation - it was not our fault it was the posties and their Union.

Way to change the culture of relations within RM Mr Burgess, the old mention the CWU when it goes wrong and claim the glory for RM if it ever goes right.

[POSTMAN]

Not sure if it means anything but the paper has got his name wrong,it's Gary not Grant.
Also in another report he says...

He said managers were now checking that routes had been planned correctly and staff were working at the appropriate rate.

He's ex London btw.

[drb]

I Know "him" well Postie!

[POSTMAN]

I Know "him" well Postie!

I bet you do.

[drb]

The first time I met him we shook hands...my hand still hurts! He hates me! LOL!

[DGP1]

The first time I met him we shook hands...my hand still hurts! He hates me! LOL!

[pants123]

management SERIOUSLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND the modernization fiasco plan that these idiots at the top brought in from the 2010 AGREEMENT is NOT,,, NOT ,,, NOT,,,, NOT,,,, WORKING......... i cannot believe these people in authority have the brain function of a RETARD,,, RETARD..... its just beyond belief............. AND they get bonuses for failure......... what is this world coming to......... i really don't know its PATHETIC....

[kendo1]

THe Planners need to be looked at ,a total waste of money ,most have never done a delivery and only know about the coffe machine and the fag break area.

Its disgracefull 12 months planning and it does not work!
This is the same situation throughout the country.!
RM is really really good at WASTING money this is their no1 skill.

Or the other idea I hear now ,cut hours and replace them with S/A.

[SteveH]

Not sure if it means anything but the paper has got his name wrong,it's Gary not Grant.

It's a local paper. They get everything wrong.

[SteveH]

management SERIOUSLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND the modernization fiasco plan that these idiots at the top brought in from the 2010 AGREEMENT is NOT,,, NOT ,,, NOT,,,, NOT,,,, WORKING......... i cannot believe these people in authority have the brain function of a RETARD,,, RETARD..... its just beyond belief............. AND they get bonuses for failure......... what is this world coming to......... i really don't know its PATHETIC....

Put it this way: I operate 'Intelligent letter sorting machines', so called because they're more intelligent that RM senior management.

[not me]

Not sure if it means anything but the paper has got his name wrong,it's Gary not Grant.
Also in another report he says...

He said managers were now checking that routes had been planned correctly and staff were working at the appropriate rate.

He's ex London btw.

Watford? is it not getting a bit close to London