THE Royal Mail was forced to change some of its processes after staff at the Alloa delivery office walked out earlier this week over coronavirus concerns.

Hard working essential staff at the Broad Street office raised concerns over the premises not being set up to allow people to work at a safe distance from one another, lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as the fact that junk mail was still being delivered.

One concerned employee from the sorting and delivery office highlighted the action was all about safety and questioned why junk mail for companies that are not even operating are still being sent out to local homes.

The Royal Mail confirmed staff have returned to work today (Wednesday, April 1) and the office should be operating as normal.

A spokesperson for the Royal Mail told the Advertiser this evening: “We have changed our processes.

“We will now deliver unaddressed, door to door advertising mailings to customers who are receiving addressed letters or parcels at the same time, wherever practically possible.

“Door to door mailings provide a very valuable service to small businesses and companies of all kinds as they seek to provide their goods and services.

“Many small businesses now need this support more than ever as they struggle to stay afloat in the midst of the lockdown.

“This means they can safeguard local jobs as well as the local economy.

“In the lockdown, many families are increasingly keen to access local services and food companies.

“The government is also delivering important public messages about coronavirus via door-to-door mailings.

“Door to door mailings are also an important way of paying for the universal service and supporting the delivery of all mail.

“The Universal Postal Service provides a lifeline to businesses and communities everywhere and we are proud to provide it.”

It is understood staff walked out on Monday, March 30, and were looking for staggered working times, while there was also a concern that hand sanitizer gel had not arrived in time. When that eventually turned up, there was a concern the about 50 bottles would not be enough.

Staff were then seen on the picket lines, observing social distancing rules (pictured).

The Royal Mail initially said it was “disappointed that un-balloted industrial action has taken place” and apologised to customers.

A spokesperson claimed a range measures have been introduced for social distancing.

And said: “Royal Mail takes the health and safety of its colleagues, its customers and the local communities in which we operate very seriously.”

The spokesperson added: “As the universal service provider, we collect and deliver letters six days a week to 30million households.

“We are required to deliver the universal service through the market and without recourse to a public subsidy.

“It is expensive to maintain as the number of letters we handle continues to decline every year. We are currently doing this in difficult circumstances.”

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Iain Smith
Regional Content Manager
Alloa Advertiser