Royal Mail has warned customers they will need to send their Christmas post earlier than usual this year. The company expects a series of strikes by postal workers from the Communication Workers Union to cause disruption in the run-up to the festive season.
Strike action is planned on December 9, 11, 14, 15, 23 and 24, leading Royal Mail to accuse the company of "holding Christmas to ransom". To help minimise the impact, Royal Mail has brought forward its latest recommended posting dates for first and second-class mail.
It is hoped that if people post cards and parcels earlier this year, the load will be spread more evenly and mail will be kept moving. With the threat of more planned CWU strike action across the UK, Royal Mail said it continues to deploy a range of contingency plans.
Final suggested dates for sending second-class post has been brought forward from December 19 to 12 and for first class from December 21 to 16. 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.”
