Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Ryan Merryfield & Alan Weston

You might not get your post until after 6pm under new Royal Mail plans

Thousands of UK households won't get deliveries until late in the afternoon under new Royal Mail plans.

Royal Mail says it is having to redesign its network to keep up with rival firms as people are ordering parcels later at night, with the Communication Workers' Union threatening strikes

The proposed Royal Mail shake-up could see some people waiting until after 6pm for their post, it has been claimed. The national postal service and courier company plans to push things back in a bid to speed up the delivery of parcels, reports The Mirror.

READ MORE : Check-in warning for Ryanair passengers or face £55 fee

With people ordering more and more online late at night, it is hoped having posties starting later will allow for sorting offices to process 'next day' deliveries on time. But it means over 100 areas in the UK would reportedly be waiting until at least 5pm, with some areas not seeing their post until 6pm at the earliest.

A Royal Mail spokesperson told the Daily Telegraph the timings were based on "high level" estimates but nothing has been finalised.

She was adamant letters would arrive by 5pm, just an hour after they do under the current scheme. 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.

"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 2%, backdated to April 1, as well as an offer of 3.5% 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.

READ NEXT :

Suburban life between two main roads in the heart of the city

Boy 'up to his neck in water' rescued in Formby beach drama

The city centre pub standing defiant in the face of cost of living 'body blow'

Mum saves money by tricking daughter into eating meat

Man in serious condition after being stabbed in head at pub

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.