Postal workers are demanding an emergency summit on Royal Mail, warning the company is “on the brink of collapse”. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said the Government should join formal talks between the union and management to discuss the company’s future and avert a “serious crisis”.
Union calls for pause on new delivery model
The postal workers union also called for the rollout of a new delivery model to be paused, citing operational issues and unmanageable workloads. CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “We are calling for a summit between stakeholders and the Government to address the ticking timebomb that is Royal Mail. Royal Mail has been in structural decline for well over a decade.
“The continuous failure to deliver quality of service is killing the brand, demoralising the workforce, and letting down the communities that postal workers are proud to serve.
Recruitment and retention crisis
“At this stage, it doesn’t matter what delivery model is adopted. Unless the company faces up to its self-inflicted recruitment and retention crisis, the company is on the brink of collapse.
“For years, we have had select committees, promises of £500 million improvement plans, a broad array of agreements and threats to improve from Ofcom.
“Yet nothing has changed, every agreement reached has never been honoured, and Ofcom’s only role has been to favour competition over improving Royal Mail, with its universal service obligation.
“Royal Mail is in serious need of a business vision that provides dignified work for employees and quality service for consumers and communities. The time for developing and implementing this vision is long overdue, and we must begin the work now.”
Staff departures and Christmas hiring
About 400 Royal Mail staff are quitting each week under new efficiency plans that reorganised routes to improve delivery performance. The union claims the new system is not working in hundreds of offices, and staff are warning of a “nightmare” Christmas ahead.
Royal Mail said: “These reforms are an important part of our plan to deliver a more reliable, efficient and financially sustainable Universal Service for customers across the UK.”
The company is hiring 22,000 temporary workers over the Christmas period to help transport, sort and deliver the additional mail expected over the festive period.
