Sorting office set to count closure cost

JOB cuts and strike action could be on the cards after the Royal Mail announced proposals to close part of Oldham’s mail centre.

Union officials said jobs could be lost and feared that half of all current workers will not find alternative work within the Royal Mail.

All 150 staff at the Hamilton Street sorting office would be affected by the plans which would see work moved to Manchester.

The delivery centre, which shares the same site, will not be affected by the plans.

Mail centres in Stockport and Bolton have also been earmarked for the chop.

The changes, to be introduced next year, are part of a £51 million investment into the business which would see the creation of a new regional distribution centre and four new delivery offices in the North-West.

Staff were formally notified of the preferred option on Tuesday and Oldham’s sorting office was deemed not fit for purpose.

Des Carney, branch secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said: “Around 150 work in Oldham’s processing centre and I foresee job losses.

“A significant number of people, about 50 per cent, will not find another job within the Royal Mail.

“We are not ruling out strike action.”

Mr Carney said the biggest impact would be on part-time and disabled staff who have predominantly worked in the sorting office.

Mr Carney said the impact on the public could see last post collection time moved to 4pm and morning deliveries also affected.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: “It’s too early to say who will be working where. We have gone to great lengths to involve the unions and we hope to be able to confirm a final decision in a week or two.”