This was the scene at the entrance to Burnham-On-Sea’s sorting office this morning (Saturday, October 31st) as Royal Mail staff in the town held a second strike, halting deliveries and collections across our area.
The second strike involves over 40 staff, who set up a picket outside the delivery office in Dunstan Road, as pictured.
Stan Howlett, Burnham’s union representative, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “There will be no deliveries or collections today across the Burnham-On-Sea area.”
He added: “We’re not doing this lightly. No-one wants to strike – we don’t get paid when we don’t work – but we have to make a stand over Royal Mail’s proposals.”
“A great deal of support has been received from the public during our rounds in Burnham.”
“They understand that the changes which Royal Mail are proposing would see Burnham getting a greatly inferior service to the one in place today.”
“Mail deliveries would be staggered throughout the day and be made in some parts of Burnham as late as 5pm each day.”
“We also have fewer people here working at the delivery office, but more post than ever. This means the quality of service is falling all the time – something that Royal Mail needs to resolve.”
Another two days’ industrial action is being planned next Friday (November 6th) and the following Monday (November 9th) if an agreement between unions and Royal Mail cannot be reached.
