Royal Mail warns customers to send Christmas post early due to strike action

Royal Mail is urging Brits to send their post earlier this Christmas to avoid the impact of strike action. The company has brought forward its Latest Recommended Posting Dates to give senders a better chance of seeing their mail arrive before Christmas Day.

The postal service has warned customers that 2nd class post should be sent a week earlier than they would normally recommend, and first class and tracked packages should be given an extra five days to ensure arrival.

Members of the Communication Workers Union will be striking on December 9, 11, 14, 15, 23 and 24 over pay and working conditions. People have been told that the action “is likely to cause you some disruption” in the run up to Christmas.

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Yet the Chief Commercial Officer of the Royal Mail has assured that the company is working on a number of contingency plans to keep the country connected during this period.

Nick Landon 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.”

During the strike, Royal Mail has said that letters will not be delivered, with the exception of those sent with Special Delivery, but even those cannot be guaranteed to arrive. The company will also work to prioritise the delivery of Covid testing kits and medical prescriptions.

If customers wish to see their post arrive on time, here are the Royal Mail’s new Latest Recommended Posting Dates:

• 2nd class post, 2nd class signed for and Royal Mail 48 services – December 12

• 1st class, first class signed for, Royal Mail 24 and Royal Mail tracked 48 – December 16

• Royal Mail Tracked 24 – December 19

• Special Delivery Guaranteed – December 21

For international post they recommend:

• Greece, Eastern Europe (except Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia) and Turkey – December 3

• Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Poland, Sweden, USA and Canada – December 5

• Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland – December 7

• Belgium, France, Luxembourg – December 9

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