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New plans from Royal Mail could see thousands of people waiting longer for their post with some waiting until after 6pm.
The proposed plans, according to the Mirror, would see the national postal service push things back in a bid to speed up deliveries.
If plans go ahead, it could mean over 100 areas across the UK would be waiting to get their mail until at least 5pm.
READ MORE: Glasgow set for heatwave as temperatures to soar to 27C says Met Office
It also means that sorting offices will be able to process ‘next day’ deliveries easier at a time where more people are ordering items online late at night. This could mean that areas such as London, Cornwall, Cumbria, Wales and Scotland may not see their post until 6pm at the earliest whilst it’s estimated people living in Kinross, near Perth, might not see anything until 7.30pm.
A Royal Mail spokesperson told the Daily Telegraph the timings were based on “high level” estimates but nothing has been finalised. Other changes proposed include introducing more automatic sorting machines, with post often still currently sorted by hand, as well as a seven-day working week to keep in touch with rival companies.
The Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) is threatening nationwide strikes, with a majority of its more than 100,000 members voting for industrial action over pay and conditions. A CWU spokesman told the newspaper: “The changes would see our members delivering up to five hours in the height of summer heat and in the darkness of winter.
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“This is just one example of how Royal Mail are running down the postal service in the UK and why our members are balloting for strike action to defend it. Postal workers need and deserve the support of the public to win this battle.”
Despite a pay rise of two per cent backdated to April 1, as well as an offer of 3.5 per cent depending on productivity, the union says it is a “serious real-terms wage cut” based on the increased cost of living.
Possible strike action later this month would see postal workers join disgruntled rail and airport staff and others in walking out on their jobs this summer.
The Royal Mail spokesperson added the company remains “in discussion” with the CWU about moving start times, which she said would also “reduce our environmental impact” as more trains can be used instead of lorries.
She said more rival parcel companies are delivering later in the day to meet changing needs and the firm is “redesigning our network”, including opening two new Super Hubs.
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