Gordon Praises Blackpool Post Festive Efforts
Gordon has praised the town’s post workers for dedication in keeping on top of the Christmas rush and the bad weather – but warned the Government’s Bill to privatise Royal Mail could jeopardise future Christmas excellence.
Gordon visited post staff and managers at the main Abingdon Street sorting office – to chat and hear how they were coping with the harsh weather conditions as well as the unprecedented increase in parcel volume up around 35 per cent compared to last Christmas. ‘We should all take our hats off to our postmen in Blackpool – despite the unprecedented cold weather they’re coming in through snow and ice and getting out – even in continued treacherous conditions – to deliver the Christmas mail’.
‘I was particularly encouraged that the new hand-held technology which enables the public to trace parcels is working well – and new firm ‘chain and cutter’ footwear are helping postmen deliver safety with fewer accidents this year than usual.’
‘You have to ask the question though – would that sense of dedication be able to continue if Royal Mail is privatised as the Government seems hell-bent on doing. Their failure to guarantee in law a business agreement between a private Royal Mail and post offices could cost a third of all post offices income and spell the end for most of the network out of town centres. That would cause huge problems for people wanting to post parcels and registered letters.
‘The services of Christmas past could disappear in the Christmas future the Postal Services Bill now going through Parliament is planning. On top of that the Government has gone back on previous plans for a Post Office People’s Bank. They haven’t even guaranteed the Queen’s head staying on our stamps if a foreign competitor took over Royal Mail!’
‘We should praise post workers in Blackpool for pulling out all the stops this Christmas. But we should all raise our voices again in the New Year to make sure they will be still able to do so next Christmas as well.’
