Mail staff may strike on threat of office closures

THE threat of strike action looms after Royal Mail announced the closure of two delivery offices that cover around 24,000 homes in Stockport.

Union bosses say the move to shut the sites in Marple and Bredbury is ‘industrial vandalism’ and will badly affect both staff and the public.

It is claimed that the move, which will see both offices incorporated into the one on Green Lane, Stockport, will lead to a deterioration of service with later deliveries and travelling to pick up parcels.

The Royal Mail says there will be no impact on deliveries, no compulsory redundancies and it will make its operation more efficient.

But the Communication Workers Union (CWU) is now considering strike action and says working conditions for staff will also worsen.

Dave Kennedy, branch secretary, said: “We have studied the plans and are unable to find one solitary benefit for either the workforce or the public. It is industrial vandalism.

“Both will suffer from inbuilt inefficiencies if we allow this plan to proceed. It seems Royal Mail has decided to open hostilities with their own workforce and the public.

“The people of Bredbury and Marple deserve an acceptable level of service. We have consulted the membership of both offices on the prospect of industrial action. The support was overwhelming.”

Each office employs around 35 staff and Royal Mail says all have been fully consulted.

Under the plans, which will come into effect in January 2018, undelivered mail can still be collected from Bredbury and Marple Post Offices.

It can also be left with a neighbour unless it requires a signature or the delivery can be rearranged.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “There will be no impact on mail deliveries to customers, who will continue to be served by the same postmen and women.

“These moves are part of Royal Mail’s ongoing transformation of its business to increase the efficiency of operations and provide delivery offices that are fit for purpose for staff and customers.

“Further detailed planning is taking place to ensure a smooth transition for our people and the service we provide. We have a strong track record of managing change.”

The Marple depot, on Chapelfields, services 11,000 people and the Bredbury site, on George Lane, deals with 13,000.