Related Articles
The Royal Mail has issued an urgent warning that today (December 16) is the last chance to post letters and parcels in time for Christmas. It comes amid several days of protest that have caused major disruption to the postal service.
Friday, December 16 is the final date to post in time for Christmas, which is already the busiest time of the season for post office workers and has been made all the more chaotic through staff shortages. On its website, the Royal Mail says today is the deadline for First Class post, First Class signed for, Royal Mail 24 and Royal Mail Tracked 48.
On its website, the Royal Mail warned: “Allow plenty of time for posting. Please post items and gifts for Christmas early, particularly for International deliveries.”
Read more: Joanna Lumley’s days in the Kent village of Rolvenden and the tiny school she said ‘smelt of cabbage’
Laura Joseph, Post Office customer experience director said: “Royal Mail has brought forward the last recommended posting dates for many of its services.
“As a result, Friday December 16 is now likely to be even busier in Post Office branches as customers race to ensure cards and gifts arrive for Christmas Day. As soon as you’ve got your parcels ready to go get them in the post – many Post Office branches are open long hours, and some are open seven days a week so pop into your local branch and get your gifts sent in time for Christmas.”
Royal Mail Tracked 24 and Royal Mail Tracked 48 are not available to purchase at Post Office branches, the Royal Mail has added in its warning. But only this week post offices have advertised that tracked delivery services are still being offered.
Flint Post Office tweeted that “we’re still open as usual during the Royal Mail strikes, plus get insurance cover up to £500 and full tracking all the way with Special Delivery”. The Royal Mail also said online previously that they would prioritise and deliver as many letters and parcels with special delivery as possible while the strikes are on.
But people online, some of whom posted in items in November, have complained that the service is taking days if not weeks to deliver 24-hour and 48-hour deliveries. Charne said: “Royal mail tracked 24. Hasn’t even moved from the post office apparently post officer says its been picked up yet why not scanned??? I’m so fuming. Currently on hold AGAIN for over an hour i’ll never use royal mail again!!”
MG said: “Another person annoyed cos they were told by the post office their special delivery would arrive next day but royal mail are washing their hands of it.
“PO isn’t the RM but RM should have at least communicated to the POs that they wouldnt honour the specials. Scandalous.”
Beth McColl said: “Right so my contact lenses and medication are trapped inside the post office delivery office. Medication is a non starter but does anyone know if i can buy prescription lenses anywhere without an up to date prescription?? Specsavers say no.”
Ben Feldman said: “The disruption caused by these @RoyalMail strikes and backlogs are extremely inconvenient and unacceptable.
“I still haven’t received a parcel I paid a premium for 24 hour delivery for that was dispatched last week. Don’t offer services if you can’t honour them.”
And Norman St Anley added: “Sold something on ebay, and it informed me of the threat of postal strikes then gave me different options for delivery. These options are a lot more convenient, one being an Evri in the shop round the corner open til 9. Post Office workers are striking themselves redundant.”
Postal workers have been striking due to a dispute over pay and working conditions. A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “The CWU is striking at our busiest time, deliberately holding Christmas to ransom for our customers, businesses and families across the country. We are doing everything we can to deliver Christmas for our customers, and would like to thank the increasing number of posties returning to work each strike day, temporary workers and managers from across the business who are helping to keep the mail moving.
“However, this task becomes more challenging as Christmas nears. Three weeks ago, we made a best and final pay offer worth up to 9% over 18 months. Instead of working with us to agree on changes required to fund that offer and get pay into our posties’ pockets, the CWU has announced plans to ballot in the New Year for further strike action.
“Their misguided belief that further industrial action, in a business already losing more than £1 million a day, will result in an improved pay offer is misleading its members and risking their long-term job security.”
READ NEXT
