Posties work long hours on one of busiest weekends seen

Disruption caused by storms, combined with increased demands of the pandemic and the Christmas period, meant that staff were asked to work long hours to manage the increased workload, in what is always the busiest month of the year for postal staff.

This December is expected to exceed usual numbers with more than 500,000 parcels set to be delivered over, a sharp increase on previous years.

‘It’s easily double than what we normally see in a month. The posties worked heroically over the last week, and as well over the last 20 months,’ said chief executive Boley Smillie.

Some 15 extra staff have been recruited this year to manage the increased workload during Christmas time, and a second warehouse in Bulwer Avenue is being used in part to handle the additional stock as well as to ensure social distancing is possible for staff.

‘It’s outperforming other Decembers, but there was a slower start this year as we usually see the increase starting in October or November. Generally everyone is shopping later or it could be due to supply chain issues, or maybe people had hoped to see an improvement in retail shopping,’ said Mr Smillie.

Services remained mostly undisrupted in Alderney and Sark over the weekend, where Guernsey Post has a total of six staff.

‘They have the additional challenge of waiting for post to get from Guernsey after we get it from the UK, but we managed to keep the volume flowing.

‘We’re always worried about delays but the teams are adept to deal with the situation.

‘Sometimes we’re wondering how on earth we are going to deal with the increased volume, but living on an island we pride ourselves on knowing how to deal with the situation.

‘Our team are focused to ensure everything is delivered by Christmas Eve,’ said Mr Smillie.