We’ve heard plenty in recent months about the problems caused to small businesses by the current Royal Mail strike. One of the recurring themes has been the frustration felt by people whose businesses have no alternative but to use Royal Mail letter and small packet services: for many of us, there is no option but to sit out the strike patiently.
But now one seller has decided to do what she can to get the strike stopped. Rachael from Thingimijigs has started a petition asking the government to intervene in the strike before it causes small businesses yet more problems.
Rachael told me “I cannot passively sit and let Royal Mail & the CWU destroy the business that I have worked hard to build up, as both sides are acting like kids in a playground. Too many politicians state they are there for the small business….well, let someone prove it. What do I hope from the petition? That the government act as intermediary and work to end the dispute.”
Even now, with piecemeal action and 24 hour stoppages, Rachael says the CWU’s action is hitting her business: “98% of our lines are under 2kg so Royal Mail is the only viable option. We are already having to refund customers where deadlines for delivery have been and gone. We are having to resend items to customers, who are getting more frustrated. If their local office has not been on strike, they don’t see why it should affect them.”
“This results in either loss of confidence in my company, or on-line retailers in general, right at the time when we are all gearing up for Christmas. If we do not have a good Christmas, this impacts for the rest of the year. The worst case for some retailers is that they close their doors and staff lose their jobs.”
If you’re a British citizen, find the petition on the Number 10 website.
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