Posties to address round of strikes

Reporter: Janice Barker
Date online: 02/07/2009

Bad feeling over longer rounds and later starts could spark prolonged industrial action by Oldham’s disgruntled postmen and women this summer, their union is warning.

Local rounds were made bigger three weeks ago for the second time in a year, according to one disgruntled employee who contacted the Chronicle.

He added: “Now they are changing hours and making the rounds bigger again.

“If this goes through, some postmen won’t start until 11am. They will bag up and be out for nearly noon, with a four-hour round, meaning some people getting home from work before the postman arrives.

“Very soon it looks like we could be going on strike as we have had enough of Royal Mail and its management.”

Communication Workers’ Union branch chairman for Oldham and Rochdale, Des Carney, explained: “This is happening all over the country.

“Rochdale members want a ballot because changes are being imposed by executive decision.

“I’m fairly confident they are going to ask for a ballot in Oldham — they have a union meeting scheduled.”

Mr Carney, who represents 450 staff in Oldham, added: “Royal Mail will say that mail volumes are dropping, they need to keep improving performance and are introducing new technology.

“But people are putting more items in envelopes, and there are more packets because of Internet shopping. Rounds are also getting more spread out.

“Bags are up to 30lbs. Obviously they get lighter as they go round, but Royal Mail doesn’t have adequate facilities for dropping off the second bag, and postmen are walking up to a mile with another bag.

“We are pressing for new equipment which is available such as mechanical trolleys or vans to take staff around, to cut the dead time.

“The union offered Royal Mail a three months moratorium on industrial action if it didn’t introduce anything by executive action while we try to hammer a deal out nationally. So far, Royal Mail has refused.”

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “As part of our commitment to improving efficiency we have carried out a re-organisation of delivery walks in the Oldham area.

“Customers should still receive the same high-level of service which they have come to expect from Royal Mail and we will continue to monitor the new arrangements to ensure that our usual high standards of service are being maintained.”