friendlybaby
10-10-2007, 03:25 PM
After lengthy negotiation we are very disappointed that the Communication Workers Union (CWU) has announced more strike action starting on Monday 15th and ending on Friday 19th October. This action will take place at different Royal Mail sites across the country at different times. We are currently assessing the impact that this will have on services, and will communicate this as soon as possible.
We can confirm that the latest round of strike action by members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) ended in the early hours of Wednesday 10th October. Royal Mail regrets the impact of the strike action and apologises to its customers for the disruption this has caused.
Whilst we are encouraged that increased numbers of operational staff are attending work and that managerial and support staff continue to keep mail flowing, the situation remains very serious and our ability to provide services remains extremely limited. We are very sorry that we have had to withdraw a number of service promises and guarantees, but we will reinstate these as soon as we are able to honour them.
Special Delivery items are being delivered and some mail is flowing through the network, but we have a significant build-up of mail that will take time to clear when the strikes have finished.
We would like to assure our customers that we are working hard to get mail through the system and delivered. We will do our best to return to normal as quickly as possible, and will deal with mail in the order in which we receive it. However customers should expect significant delays during and after the strike period.
During the strikes Royal Mail’s priorities are to:
* Keep mail flowing, by keeping many sorting machines and vehicles operating, and processing as much mail as possible through our system.
* Protect vulnerable members of society, who depend on Post Office payments of pensions and social security.
* Manage the needs of our large customers with bulk mailings – helping them post around disruption as best they can.
* Ensure that all customers may continue to post mail through the Post Office network.
* Prioritise Special Delivery services although all guarantees will be suspended.
What does it mean for our customers?
This action will severely limit our ability to provide any services for the coming period. Customers should expect severe disruption to all postal services during the strikes and for a significant period afterwards.
* Special Delivery will continue to be a priority throughout the period of disruption. We have well developed contingency plans, and will do all we can to deliver Special Delivery items on the due day. However, money-back guarantees have been suspended for items posted on 4th October onwards. These will be reinstated as soon as we are sure we can fulfill the service promise.
* Door to Door - we will not be able to maintain a Door to Door service, Royal Mail has applied Force Majeure for all Door to Door contracts scheduled for delivery in the weeks commencing Monday 8th; Monday 15th and Monday 22nd October. Please see the section below for more details.
* Redirection, Keepsafe and Diversion - our advertised standard for setting up these services is affected by industrial action, and so customers should expect delays.
* Redelivery has been suspended, and will be reinstated as soon as we are sure we can fulfill the service promise. Customers collecting items should be aware that enquiry office opening times may vary from normal, and some may be closed on strike days.
* Access mail - we will not give access mail special priority during strikes and period of recovery. We will deal with mail in the order we receive it, regardless of whether it has come directly from our customers, or from a supplier of Downstream Access.
How can Small Business customers and Consumers work with us to reduce the disruption to your mail?
* Please do not post on strike days.
* Our customer service helpline – 08457 740 740 is operating, but will be very busy, so please be patient.
We can confirm that the latest round of strike action by members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) ended in the early hours of Wednesday 10th October. Royal Mail regrets the impact of the strike action and apologises to its customers for the disruption this has caused.
Whilst we are encouraged that increased numbers of operational staff are attending work and that managerial and support staff continue to keep mail flowing, the situation remains very serious and our ability to provide services remains extremely limited. We are very sorry that we have had to withdraw a number of service promises and guarantees, but we will reinstate these as soon as we are able to honour them.
Special Delivery items are being delivered and some mail is flowing through the network, but we have a significant build-up of mail that will take time to clear when the strikes have finished.
We would like to assure our customers that we are working hard to get mail through the system and delivered. We will do our best to return to normal as quickly as possible, and will deal with mail in the order in which we receive it. However customers should expect significant delays during and after the strike period.
During the strikes Royal Mail’s priorities are to:
* Keep mail flowing, by keeping many sorting machines and vehicles operating, and processing as much mail as possible through our system.
* Protect vulnerable members of society, who depend on Post Office payments of pensions and social security.
* Manage the needs of our large customers with bulk mailings – helping them post around disruption as best they can.
* Ensure that all customers may continue to post mail through the Post Office network.
* Prioritise Special Delivery services although all guarantees will be suspended.
What does it mean for our customers?
This action will severely limit our ability to provide any services for the coming period. Customers should expect severe disruption to all postal services during the strikes and for a significant period afterwards.
* Special Delivery will continue to be a priority throughout the period of disruption. We have well developed contingency plans, and will do all we can to deliver Special Delivery items on the due day. However, money-back guarantees have been suspended for items posted on 4th October onwards. These will be reinstated as soon as we are sure we can fulfill the service promise.
* Door to Door - we will not be able to maintain a Door to Door service, Royal Mail has applied Force Majeure for all Door to Door contracts scheduled for delivery in the weeks commencing Monday 8th; Monday 15th and Monday 22nd October. Please see the section below for more details.
* Redirection, Keepsafe and Diversion - our advertised standard for setting up these services is affected by industrial action, and so customers should expect delays.
* Redelivery has been suspended, and will be reinstated as soon as we are sure we can fulfill the service promise. Customers collecting items should be aware that enquiry office opening times may vary from normal, and some may be closed on strike days.
* Access mail - we will not give access mail special priority during strikes and period of recovery. We will deal with mail in the order we receive it, regardless of whether it has come directly from our customers, or from a supplier of Downstream Access.
How can Small Business customers and Consumers work with us to reduce the disruption to your mail?
* Please do not post on strike days.
* Our customer service helpline – 08457 740 740 is operating, but will be very busy, so please be patient.