Postal Strike (merged discussion)

Jon_C

This one's for all you lovers out there...

A week to go and the Royal Mail strike shows no signs of being resolved. In fact, the war of words between management and the unions has escalated.

Regardless of whose side you're on, I'd just like to remind people that they might wish to make alternative arrangements for sending Valentine's Day cards, flowers and gifts rather than rely on Royal Mail to deliver on time.

Even if the strikers do resume work by this day next week, I wouldn't bank on the backlog being shifted by then.

Obviously this message really just applies to the lads, as it's their lives that won't be worth living if cards, flowers and gifts don't arrive. ;-) In my view, girlfriends and wives aren't quite as forgiving as boyfriends and husbands when things like this happen!

Good luck, guys!

master_blaster_2

er ....
as a money saving tip ....
why not use the strike as an excuse not to send anythin !!!!!!

''darling i cant believe the prezzies/cards/flowers didnt arrive ..... damm that postal strike'' ;-))

master_blaster_2

p.s.
dont tell my wife i said that

talksalot81

If they do clear the backlog that quickly, it shows that there are far too many workers! Some of them should be fired!!

jellynose

talksalot81 wrote:

If they do clear the backlog that quickly, it shows that there are far too many workers! Some of them should be fired!!

NOT ALL postal workers are out on strike. My better half is still turning up to work everyday. If the backlog is cleared quickly, it may not be because there are too many workers but because some people are getting off their asses, turning up to work and TRYING to keep the mail flowing.

Sorry for the rant, I will get off my soap box now

Jon_C

Royal Mail will have to pay out millions of pounds if customers take them to task.

Postwatch has ruled that customers can claim up to £10 per delayed letter.

You have to show that the item has been delayed by (I think) 11 working days to get that but shorter delays are still eligible for compensation.

Oddly, I think senders or receivers can claim, just not both for the same item.

You have to produce the postmark and sign a 'prosecute me if I'm just lying and trying to defraud you' form.

Sorry I can't offer more specific details but it'll be in today's papers and I would say https://www.royalmail.com has details of the standard compo rates.

Even if your mail isn't delayed that much at the moment, by the time the backlog is cleared and your items are delivered, chances are it'll be close to the maximum payout.

NAR

Apparently over 1000 people didn't get their City Hospital appointments last week, because of this illegal strike. As if the health service isn't in bad enough shape already!

talksalot81

jellynose wrote:

NOT ALL postal workers are out on strike. My better half is still turning up to work everyday. If the backlog is cleared quickly, it may not be because there are too many workers but because some people are getting off their asses, turning up to work and TRYING to keep the mail flowing.

Sorry for the rant, I will get off my soap box now

I wasnt meaning to get at those who are still working. Apologies if it came across that way.

Id be interested to know the exact figures. If 25% of the workforce can manage to handle 50% of the mail, it would mean the striking 75% are effectively only having to handle the other 50%.... were that the case, it would imply that those not on strike are, on average, 3 times more productive.... it is just a little theory - those first to strike I hypothesise to be least keen on working and least productive, just wonder if the data supports it.

NAR

There are a number of staff from England over working, and the managers are putting in up to 70 hours a week to try and keep things ticking over.

Interesting to know that one of the main union culprits who called this illegal strike has been sacked (currently under appeal) for harrassment himself.

joemardo1

Hi there,

Living in Derry, expecting a few items from england including a recorded delivery item. Wonder if the strike will affect that?

thanks

Joe

freddie_2

May be a stupid thought but as I have paid for the post 1) to buy it and 2) to post and receive it, doest that make it legally my property?
If so whats to stop me going down and getting my parcel?
I realise that in the millions that are there this is nearly impossible, but in theory would it work?

I have no post now for 12 days and have maternity clothes in the post, waiting to be delivered. Will have nothing to fit me soon if they dont get delivered soon.