eBay are continuing to automatically protect your performance until this coming Saturday, the 7th of January 2023 due to the strike action by members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) at Royal Mail and Parcelforce. We’re expecting more disruption to deliveries this year and that in all likelihood eBay will extend protections as strike dates are announced.
It’s worth noting that the only post Royal Mail prioritise during strike action are parcels sent via Tracked24 or Special Delivery. However even for these items, they have suspended delivery promises on strike days and the days immediately following any industrial action.
Anything sent via Royal Mail using services other than Tracked24 or Special Delivery will likely end up in a dump pile at depots and there is no expectation that letters or large letters (the reason so many use Royal Mail) will be processed in anything like a reasonable time frame. In December, I received a letter with my insurance renewal dated 1st December that wasn’t delivered until the 22nd…. the day after my car insurance ran out. Fortunately my broker got in touch as I hadn’t responded, but the postal dispute is not protecting consumers who face missed hospital appointments and other important mail as well as disruption to their online purchases.
Interestingly, former Royal Mail CEO Rico Back has commented, saying that the current CEO Simon Thompson has misjudged the situation and hasn’t got the experience to deal with the Union. While he may have a point, there is plenty of speculation that the former head of GLS would like nothing better than the company to split up and jump back into GLS if it were to be sold off. Plus it was Rico that initiated the prioritisation of parcels and didn’t seem to care about letters when he was running the business so his comments are a bit rich from a former player.
Regardless, there is every expectation that more strike action will be announced as the Union don’t appear in a mood to settle while Royal Mail are unwilling to bend. Barring the two premium services, Royal Mail services can’t be relied upon during strikes until agreement is reached.
2 Responses
Ebay will need to extend it well into Jan. Stuff posted on the 12 Dec seems to have been worst hit. Most of the INR claims are from this date. Looks like they just dumped the mail and left it. People still not getting their items from this time or earlier so it’s a real disgrace. RM promised updates on strike disruption but this did not happen. RM customers were told to keep posting but RM is not saying where the biggest problems are or how long it will be before delivery. My customers’ patience has run out and am refunding daily and making claims to RM for loss. This must be costing them more than sorting out this mess surely. Moving every possible item away from RM and am not coming back to this disreputable company.
Received a letter yesterday (4th January) that was posted 28th November…..Royal Mail managing to plumb new depths.