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Royal Mail has brought forward its final posting dates to try to make sure presents and cards arrive in time for Christmas after i revealed mountains of post is piling up at sorting offices.
The last day to post parcels and letters second class this year is Monday 12 December – six days earlier than it was in 2021.
Royal Mail announced on Friday that it was bringing forward this year’s final posting dates with a series of further strikes by postal workers looming in the run-up to Christmas.
Royal Mail has brought forward its latest posting day for second class mail by seven days, from 19 December to 12 December.
The last date to post first-class mail is now five days earlier, having been pushed forward from 21 December to 16 December.
Monday 12 December is now anticipated to be the busiest day in post office branches, customer experience director Laura Joseph said, with many customers likely to make the most of cheaper postage options.
It comes as unionised Royal Mail workers and their employer are embroiled in a bitter dispute over jobs and pay, with neither side able to reach an agreement.
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A fresh wave of industrial action was launched this week after talks broke down, with further dates looming across the month on Friday 9, Sunday 11, Wednesday 14, Thursday 15, Friday 23 and Saturday 24 December.
i previously revealed a shocking build-up of post at sorting offices, with trolleys piled high with parcels crammed together, leaving little space for employees to walk around.
When are the new latest posting dates?
Royal Mail has urged customers to post items and gifts for Christmas as early as possible.
The new latest posting dates are:
- Wednesday 7 December- Royal Mail Bulk Mail Economy
- Monday 12 December – 2nd Class, 2nd Class Signed For, Royal Mail 48
- Friday 16 December – 1st Class, 1st Class Signed For, Royal Mail 24, Royal Mail Tracked 48
- Monday 19 December – Royal Mail Tracked 24
- Wednesday 21 December – Special Delivery Guaranteed
Post office workers expressed fears that letters posted now may not arrive in time for Christmas due to the backlog, saying their managers have urged them to prioritise Tracked parcels. Royal Mail has denied these claims.
Despite “well-developed contingency plans”, Royal Mail has acknowledged that these “cannot fully replace the daily efforts of its frontline workforce,” with significant disruption on strike dates.
Nick Landon, chief commercial officer, Royal Mail, said: “The CWU is striking at our busiest time, holding Christmas to ransom for our customers, businesses and families across the country.
“We apologise to our customers for any disruption and delay that the CWU strike action is causing. We ask our customers to post early for Christmas to help us deliver Christmas.”
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