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Postal staff at Barnsley’s central Royal Mail sorting office have walked out amid suggestions colleagues have contracted coronavirus.
Dozens of workers gathered around the entrance to the Pitt Street office and were there for several hours as union officials and staff negotiated with managers.
Some said they had left the premises while cleaning work was done inside but many also spoke of having already booked personal tests for coronavirus, with the expectation they would be away from work until their results were known.
The impact on mail deliveries in Barnsley remains unclear at this stage, though some of those present were not expecting any post to leave the depot today – meaning inevitable delays for the town’s postal system.
Some also complained that the use of face-masks among those in the sorting office had not been made mandatory as the pandemic’s spread continued.
Staff members booked for coronavirus tests were advised by management to follow the instructions they received from the medical authorities around self-isolation.
Both Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union have been contacted for further information.
