So if I’ve got this right, Royal Mail workers, in the teeth of a recession, in an industry with increasing competition and in the run up to a critical trading period for its fast disappearing customers, is going on strike, again.
The last time, all of two years ago, Royal Mail lost an £8 million contract to deliver second class parcels for Amazon, it’s second biggest customer and this time round, it’s been reported that it’s moved the £25 million main contract to arch rivals Home Delivery Network.
Even in a recession, e-commerce sales are estimated to top £5bn this year and it can’t be too hard a leap for the CWU to understand that retailers will move to protect themselves and their customers from the Royal Mail’s action.
According to industry body, IMRG, prior to the strike, 86% used Royal Mail for at least some of their deliveries but 60% have now made alternative arrangements. IMRG’s Director of Operations, David Smith says of the situation “For Royal Mail the impact of this industrial action is going to be disastrous”.
Anecdotally, I know someone who had one item they’d ordered online disappear twice in the Royal Mail. On the third attempt it was finally delivered. Without a strike, the Royal Mail would have to face an uphill struggle holding on to their existing customers, but now, any remaining faith or loyalty must surely have been lost, like many of our parcels.
