Christmas post on move despite strikes in the UK

CWU members in the UK are took national strike action yesterday, and will be carrying out further strikes today and on 9, 11, 14, 15, 23 and 24 December.

The dispute is over pay and conditions.

While Guernsey postal workers will not be striking, there could be knock-on impacts.

Guernsey Post CEO Boley Smillie said the business had been facing some challenges.

‘It has been a disrupted November so far with delays throughout the postal network because of a combination of issues, bad weather disrupting the sailing schedule, technical issues with the boats and the ongoing Royal Mail strikes,’ he said.

‘For parcels arriving on-island, we already have established relationships with a number of carriers in place, including some directly with major e-commerce companies, so parcels continue to flow through those routes, despite the Royal Mail strikes.’

The combination of problems has meant that parcel volumes are 5% down on the same period last year.

‘But this is likely to be a direct consequence of the four days of industrial action in the UK over the last week,’ Mr Smillie said.

‘We would like to reassure customers that as soon as mail arrives with us it goes straight into our delivery network.

‘Our posties are now working seven days a week to process parcels as quickly as possible and they are supported by a team of 12 seasonal workers who have been with us since October.’

About half a million parcels are usually delivered during December.