THE SDLP’s Mark H Durkan has written to Royal Mail urging them to address problems at Derry Sorting Office and pressures staff are currently under, struggling to meet increasing demand and battling against staff shortages.
Derry Daily revealed last week that staff shortages at the Great James Street sorting office was leading to mail not being delivered for up to five days.
Said the Foyle MLA: “Not for the first time, absences as well as general Royal Mail staff shortages have resulted in a reduction of delivery service levels across the city.
“This week, I have spoken with several Royal Mail staff who have relayed to me their experience in recent months.
“It is clear they are under increasing pressures and have expressed concerns that they’ve been unable to avail of annual leave entitlement given the staff shortages.
“Demand for Royal Mail delivery services has skyrocketed over the past 17 months with people confined to their homes and shopping online.
“That marked increase has seen both frontline workers and those at the sorting office, worked off their feet throughout the pandemic.
“That they are now struggling to take well deserved time off during the summer period is completely unacceptable.
“I have written to Royal Mail several times over the past year about challenges facing the local service here, from staff shortages to capacity issues with their current premises.
“I appreciate the impact of COVID-19 as well as the online shift in consumer habits has served to exacerbate existing problems.
“However, it underscores the importance of taking steps to improve this service not just for service-users but also for staff.
“Customers need assurances from Royal Mail as to contingency planning to ensure that delivery of mail and parcels will continue without delay.
“Consideration must also be given to locating a larger, more suitable premises for the Sorting Office to keep step with the exponential rise in demand.”
Tags: