Viral video slams Post Office for 'unfair' treatment of subpostmasters

[POSTMAN]

https://www.betterretailing.com/news/vi ... stmasters/

A video, allegedly created by a subpostmaster accusing the Post Office (PO) of imposing “unfair” terms on its subpostmasters has gone viral.

The video claims 84% of Post Office (PO) branches are operated by subpostmasters, with 1% of branches being managed directly by PO Limited. It also states that in order to earn minimum wage, a subpostmaster must sell at least 7,000 stamps a week.

The video has been shared and circulated on social media by multiple subpostmasters, as well as some displaying it on their digital screens at the front of their shop. Burnley retailer Sophie Towers told betterRetailing.com said she at the end of her tether.

“I’ve said so many times I’m going to give up the PO side of my business,” she said. “I’m paid so little for what I do, I’m operating at a loss – it’s all so unfair. This is only going to get worse next year.”

In an interview with betterRetailing.com at the beginning of the year, chief executive Nick Read admitted there would be “winners and losers” from the PO and Royal Mail’s new Mails Distribution Agreement (MDA2). The new terms increased pay for POs selling a strong mix of high value mail products, but decreased pay for those selling a strong mix of lower value mail products.

However, at the time Read pledged to support those negatively affected, with the promise the PO would “make up the difference” of any fall in remuneration due to new terms until April 2022.

Towers added: “I receive no communication from PO. I’d like someone to actually come in and see how difficult the service can be to manage.”

Another subpostmaster, who wished to remain anonymous said the firm “will never change”. “There needs to be improvements top to bottom,” they said. “I’ll be reassessing whether I say with PO next year when the latest remuneration comes into play.”

A Post Office spokesperson said: “Post Offices generate footfall for many retail businesses and complement their wider proposition. In the past six weeks we’ve held face-to-face events with 1,500 Postmasters to discuss new opportunities to increase sales, and how we can work together to enhance their overall profitability, including the new agreement with Royal Mail, roll out of click and collect services, and cash and banking.

“Covid-19 has placed huge pressures on retailers. We guaranteed remuneration during the height of the pandemic and set up a Hardship fund. More recently we set up a Travel Support Fund for eligible Postmasters. Our dedicated team of Area Managers provide support to Postmasters. Furthermore, we continue to evolve how we listen to Postmasters and find new ways to drive footfall into their branches. For our partners who operate multiple branches, we have recently introduced monthly meetings where they can hear direct from senior leaders across our business and we have had positive feedback about this increased level of engagement.”