Aerial pictures present letters, parcels and Christmas presents piling up exterior a Royal Mail sorting workplace this morning as employees proceed to strike.
Day two of a 48-hour stroll out exhibits mountains of undelivered objects nonetheless neatly lined up on the Filton workplace in Bristol.
A complete of 10 days of strike motion have been deliberate by the Communication Employees’ Union (CWU), with over 115,000 members strolling out within the run as much as Christmas.
Although the bitter dispute between Royal Mail employees and executives over pay and circumstances is unlikely to be resolved earlier than Christmas, a union boss has stated.
It comes as British retailers are encouraging Christmas buyers to go to their native excessive avenue as a way to purchase items somewhat than going surfing and probably not receiving their order in time.
A drone shot exhibits mountains of parcels piling up exterior a Royal Mail sorting workplace as employees proceed to strike over pay
British retailers are encouraging Christmas buyers to go to their native excessive avenue as a way to purchase items somewhat than going surfing
A union boss stated that the pay dispute between postal employees and executives over pay and circumstances is unlikely to be resolved earlier than Christmas
The Royal Mail insists the scenes are ‘typical for this time of 12 months’, however the CWU have stated latest scenes at mail centres are ‘extremely uncommon’ and ‘chaotic’.
Whereas Andrew Goodacre, the chair of British Unbiased Retailers Affiliation (Bira), instructed the BBC that prospects ought to go and store in particular person in the event that they need to guarantee items are delivered on time.
He stated: ‘To make sure you get your Christmas items on time, we’re advising folks to enter outlets.
‘We’d at all times say that anyway as we might at all times promote a wholesome vibrant Excessive Road, however when there’s a lot disruption, not simply with postal strikes, however rail strikes too, if prospects need certainty on Christmas orders, greatest to order on-line, and acquire in retailer.’
He warned that small retailers could also be counting on footfall greater than ever, as they’re more likely to be extra reliant on Royal Mail to make deliveries.
Royal Mail postal employees pose for {a photograph} throughout a strike on the Royal Mail Leeds Mail Centre in Leeds
The Royal Mail insists the scenes are ‘typical for this time of 12 months’, however the CWU have stated latest scenes at mail centres are ‘extremely uncommon’ and ‘chaotic’
Andy Furey, appearing deputy normal secretary of Communication Employees Union (CWU), which has been representing the 1000’s of posties happening strike within the final 4 months, stated there are plans to poll members properly into the brand new 12 months for extra industrial motion.
He stated CWU’s latest provide to Royal Mail this week was ‘thrown again in our face’ and there are ‘no additional talks deliberate at this stage’.
His feedback got here as lots of of CWU members and several other MSPs descended on Holyrood on Thursday to demand Nicola Sturgeon helps their ongoing struggle for a brand new deal.
They joined greater than 100,000 posties who’re out on strike throughout the UK on Thursday within the sixteenth day of commercial motion by Royal Mail employees since August.
There are presently ‘no additional talks deliberate at this stage’ between Royal Mail and the CWU (postal employees picket exterior the Royal Mail Leeds Mail Centre)
Talking on the occasion, Mr Furey stated: ‘Sadly I do not consider there will likely be a decision earlier than Christmas.
‘But it surely’s not only a dispute round Christmas. We will likely be disputing into the brand new 12 months, except Royal Mail sees sense.
Mr Furey stated the union desires to make sure the common service obligation is protected, which recognises Royal Mail because the designated supplier of the common postal service within the UK six days per week, with one value for wherever and to 30 million UK addresses.
‘We’re additionally protesting the assaults on jobs,’ he stated.
‘Royal Mail need to make lots of our members obligatory redundant.
‘They need to make no less than 10,000 job losses, we reckon it is most likely double that, and we’re after a greater pay deal.’
