Royal Mail worker speaks out as Christmas parcels 'stuck' in overwhelmed depots

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/loc ... t-19494327

Yorkshire delivery offices hampered by Covid restrictions struggle to cope as online purchases rocket in run-up to Christmas

Staffing issue hampered by coronavirus are leaving Royal Mail delivery offices struggling to cope with unprecedented volumes of parcels.

Covid-concerned Christmas shoppers have been keeping away from the high street and snapping up online bargains, creating a heavier than ever flow of parcels for delivery services, such as Royal Mail.

And staffing issues have been compounded by coronavirus restrictions, staff sickness due to the virus and employees who have been forced to isolate.

Ian Grice, who has worked for Royal Mail for more than 23 years, says his delivery office is "by far the busiest" he has known it.

Ian, from Selby, North Yorkshire, said: "We ran three recruitment adverts between August and [the] end of September for new staff in my area.

"Candidates were not great. Out of the three we employed, one has left already. In fact, [in] our last session of interviews we only had one candidate. And that is when unemployment is on the increase.

"Yes, the work is very hard physically and people don’t seem to want to work Saturdays.

"I have worked for Royal Mail for over 23 years and this is by far the busiest I have known and with the issues around Covid, this has made the situation even worse."

Maggie Barrow, whose husband is a postman, says those complaining about late deliveries should give Royal Mail workers a break.

Maggie, from Huddersfield, said: "My hubby is a postie and he works damn hard, even working Sunday.

"The amount of parcels he has to deliver and the amount that aren't at home is unbelievable.

"So give them a break. They don't get a week off at Christmas to spend with family, they get two or three days. So be kind to your postie; they're doing the best they can in a bad situation."

And former Royal Mail worker Oliver Moore said: "I've worked in a sorting office during Christmas and it's incredibly busy.


"Throw Covid on top of that and it's going to be even harder this year with increased volumes of parcels.

"Give the posties a break, they're working as hard as they can."