The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has announced further strike action this week to postal deliveries and collections across the UK, including Northern Ireland’s Carrickfergus Delivery Office. The 24-hour industrial action is scheduled to take place on
Saturday 22 August.
Consumer Focus Post (Northern Ireland’s Postal Consumer Champion) advises customers to be aware of the strikes and consider what actions they can take to minimise their inconvenience. That might mean posting earlier, taking mail to post offices or using other communication methods such as courier companies. If items such as credit card bills and utility bills need to be paid, consider using alternative methods such as banks, building societies, the post office or online facilities. This may solve problems or help avoid incurring interest charges as a result of the bill being paid late.
Post remains an essential service. Even a 24-hour strike will mean that important mail items such as hospital appointment cards, credit card bills and travel tickets could be severely delayed. Customers expecting important mail should contact the senders and discuss alternative arrangements.
Rick Hill, Chair of Consumer Focus Post, commented,
‘Consumer Focus Post calls on the unions and management to work together to avoid any disruption to Royal Mail’s service.
‘Customers rely on the postal service and strike action could cause people real inconvenience, and might damage their confidence in the service.’
Notes to Editors
1. Consumer Focus Post is a statutory organisation that champions the interests of postal consumers across Northern Ireland. Consumer Focus Post started operating on 1 October 2008.
For further details please see our website: http://www.consumerfocus-post.org.uk/
