Snow stops Bristol postal deliveries
Postmen across Bristol are refusing to carry out deliveries because of the bad weather.
Delivery offices in Montpelier, Bedminster and Patchway are all understood to be affected.
-
The Communication Workers Unions says it's been "inundated" by calls from many of its 1,600 members in the Bristol area who are concerned about the weather conditions and won't go out on their rounds.
One postman, who works at Patchway but did not want to be named, said: "We're being told it's safe to go out and do deliveries but we're not being given the proper safety equipment.
"You just have to look outside to see people falling over and they're not carrying 15 kilos."
The CWU also claims that Royal Mail management in Bristol is telling workers that refusing to go out would be considered as unofficial industrial action.
One worker told the Bristol Post: "We don't normally have weather like this, but they are completely unprepared.
"In London on Tuesday all deliveries were cancelled, safety was thought to be more important but why is Bristol any different to London?
"I think common sense should prevail. A couple of people have gone out but I'm not.
"A lot of people are refusing to go out, it's just a stupid decision."
Deliveries in the Bristol area normally take place between 6am and 2pm.
David Wilshire, branch secretary of the Bristol and district branch of the communication workers union, said: "Because of the weather conditions, we've been inundated with phone calls.
"People shouldn't go out if the feel as individuals they're putting their safety at risk."
A Royal Mail spokesman denied union claims that staff were being forced to go out if it was not safe.
He said: "We are adopting a safety first approach to deliveries and we are not forcing anyone to undertake their duties if it is not safe to do so.
"For example the despatch of mail from the Bristol Mail Centre to our network of delivery offices was delayed this morning until road conditions had improved.
"Royal Mail collection and deliveries have been subject to disruption as a result of the adverse weather conditions and we apologise to customers for any inconvenience.
"We continue to do everything possible to keep the mail moving and our people safe and deliveries are taking place where possible.
"If there are any concerns then union health and safety representatives are available to speak to management."
38 Comments
View all
by HAPPY, Near Bristol
Friday, February 06 2009, 1:30PM
“Can Panic Striken Bristol say anything else apart from Its Chaos Out There!!!!”
by JG, Bristol
Friday, February 06 2009, 10:54AM
“Staff at Southmead Hospital who turned up for work yesterday were thanked by their chief.
One wonders where we would all be if we said it was unsafe to work.
Come back Winston Churchil, your country needs you.”
by pat's cat jess, Devon
Friday, February 06 2009, 10:06AM
“What is killing Royal Mail is the combination of a short sighted and lazy Union with spineless and largely inexperienced management. The CWU devotes much of it's time and members resources to blocking any proposals for making the company efficient (less double and sometimes triple handling, archaic work practises and rules) and more mechanised; Management is running rings around itself trying to appease the regulator who clearly does NOT care about what consumers want from their postal service. Consumers also need to wake up to the fact that they will have to pay for the level of service they expect - ask DHL to deliver a letter to Aberdeen tomorrow morning for 36p, see what they say.....”
by postie, bristol
Friday, February 06 2009, 8:55AM
“Why don't some customers get it when there is ice nearly everywhere it can be dangerous plus you got a 16 kg on your back and when you deliver post to most residential areas the conditions are even worse because there is no salt put down plus alot of people don't bother clearing there pathway . if you think it's safe you go walk up one of the many hills in kingswood or totterdown with a 16 kg bag on your back also do that for 3 - 3.30 HOURS see if u can hack it !”
by Rich, Bristol
Friday, February 06 2009, 8:48AM
“Seriously people, yes it's a little harder than usual but whether royal mail is prepared for this or not you're all still going to go out with your kids and play in the snow so just get to work and get on with it.
too many people just use any excuse to get out of working.”
by Mrs x, Bristol
Friday, February 06 2009, 6:59AM
“I wouldn't like to ride a bike loaded with mail in these conditions. I could barely lift the postman's pouch when I tried, guess they get used to carrying that weight.”
by michael, bristol
Friday, February 06 2009, 6:57AM
“For those customers will complains about their missing posts should go to the office collect it themselves in the snow. I am a postie and refuse to work in the snow because of safety first. In the bristol theres so many hills that concerns us unlike in london. We posties do not have safety footwear in the snow and If we were forced out in the snow i am pretty sure there will be alot of injurys, therefore missing postie for a week or more would cause managements problem and MORE missing posts for you customers. So treats us with respect and we will do the same for you, unfortualy british manners these days we are bloody selfish/narrow minded people.......”
by Pogo the Clown, Trapped in a tombola
Friday, February 06 2009, 1:24AM
“Pft. I've walked on snow before, sometimes even carrying things. Why, I seem to recall doing it this morning. Isn't that amazing?
Yes, it was slippery but I took a bit of care and managed to avoid falling over.
It's almost as if my body was designed to deal with less than ideal conditions...
Should I be a Royal Mail manager? Balls to that. I didn't study at school just so I could babysit a bunch of preening light weights who're afraid of a dusting of snow.
Spare the rod, spool the postie.”
by mike, Bristol
Thursday, February 05 2009, 6:59PM
“Gerry - you're obviously one of the ones who has 'missed the point'. Its difficult enough walking on snow without any hinderance - it surely is more difficult when you have a pouch of mail to also carry, be that 35lbs or less. I've also seen the pouches to which you refer and if you think that they are light i'm pressuming your surname must be Atlas!”
by MendipMan, Wurzel Country
Thursday, February 05 2009, 6:58PM
“So from now on then we can expect the postmen and women to down sacks every time the pavements are icy or slightly snow covered.
Having started this nonsense I have no doubt a temperature over 23C will be too hot for them - might burn their feet on the pavements - so expect disruption if we get a moderately warm period in the summer.
And what about those 'heavy' sacks? Shouldn't each postman/woman have someone walking with them to carry the sacks? A sort of post caddy. And then there are those stiff letter boxes. Another member of staff should be employed to open them for the postmen/women to pop the letters through. By now they are leaders of a team on the streets so no doubt a pay rise is appropriate.
The only other country dafter than ours in this sort of thing is France.”