POSTIES AFRAID OF ICY ROUNDS
POSTAL workers refused to go out on their rounds in the early morning for fear of slipping on icy pavements.
Deliveries in the Congleton area were disrupted yesterday after postmen and women only embarked on their routes at 11am.
The delay came because members of the Communication Workers Union were in discussions with management about whether Royal Mail would take responsibility if a worker was injured by falling on the ice.
After the talks, a Royal Mail spokesman said: "All our postmen and women are working hard to keep the mail moving and deliver as much mail as possible where it is safe to do so.
"Over 90 per cent of staff went out on delivery from Congleton Delivery Office yesterday, although they left the office slightly later than usual."
Temperatures in the town plunged to below –10°C yesterday as the region suffered another day of wintry weather.
Staff from Royal Mail's delivery office in Congleton usually start going out on their rounds from about 8am.
Yesterday's delay meant homes and businesses in Congleton and the surrounding area, as far as Holmes Chapel, suffered a disrupted service just weeks after a series of strikes were staged by postal workers at the end of last year.
Pensioner Joyce Clarke, who lives in St John's Road, Buglawton, said: "We didn't have any post yesterday, but we didn't see any postmen in Buglawton at all."
Across North Staffordshire and South Cheshire, some areas which have suffered the worst snow and ice have not been served by postal workers.
Areas most affected included parts of the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Malcolm Brundrett, union area representative for the Midlands, said in recent days, slips by the region's postal workers had caused harm including an injured back and a broken wrist.
But he added: "We have struggled through most of the town deliveries. It has just been some of the rural routes which have been affected.
"Royal Mail has taken a sensible view that it is in everyone's best interests to avoid deliveries in the most treacherous areas."
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by lee, meir
Saturday, January 09 2010, 7:21AM
“Rustinho Silverdale to quote Charles Dickens "The one great principle of the English law is, to make business for itself." from Bleak house,Jim UK FYI multi drop delivery driver, who hasn't missed 1 delivery since the cold snap started.”
by postman pat, baddeley green
Friday, January 08 2010, 10:15PM
“and im not going out in the summer either,incase i get sunburn,so can my customers please pick up their own mail from the post office ,thanks”
by amanda, biddulph
Friday, January 08 2010, 8:19PM
“what's up with these people who are moaning about the postal workers not working is it because they are waiting for there cold weather payment to arrive.if they are that desperate to have their post then why dont they make the journey to the sorting office themselfs.. on foot like they expect the postal workers to do.”
by all speak out, biddulph
Friday, January 08 2010, 7:44PM
“i agree with the postal workers and the union in this country you have to be very carefull when you are in a job and do something out of your normal practice because if some accident happens they are quick to state you should of used your common sence and not done that, so then at the end it is your fault.
to all them with a negative view on the postal workers just have a little thought if you work and your asked to do something you know could put you at risk of a accident would you do it.”
by Jim, United Kingdom
Friday, January 08 2010, 6:43PM
“lee, meir, postal workers like me don't like not delivering mail ( for one thing, it means when deliveries resume our bags are heavier, the outdoor part of our day is longer & the surface is usually just as treacherous ). Do you expect us to travel to work against official advice? Do you expect us to work in dangerous conditions against H&S law?
And if we choose to do so, so we can continue the service we enjoy providing, should we not first make sure that if the worst happens, we can still pay our rent or mortgage, our gas & electric bills and feed our families?
You use the example of your son going out on his paper round as a stick to beat us with there is a world of difference between the workload of a postman & a paperboy, but I won't argue that point....however, you make no mention of your experience with the snow and ice? Do you drive a gritting lorry? Maybe your work is connected to the emergency services? Or perhaps you drive 2 miles to your heated office - or most heinously - you have arranged to work from home, and you have little real idea of what most people are dealing with? If so, I have more respect for your son's opinion than yours!”