Postal Strike

16th October 2009

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How the strike could impact on your business

The industrial action at Royal Mail may be causing delays to posted items in some areas of the UK.

Royal Mail is keeping customers informed of the planned industrial action and on ways to avoid delays on its website:

During the strikes, if possible, email or telephone rather than using the post.

If you have to use the post during the strike, you might want to consider:

letting your customers know that there may be a delay to their goods being received
taking outgoing mail to a Post Office as it is more likely to be collected than from a post box
sending post by Special Delivery or by courier – but check with Post Office staff that these services are running
using alternative businesses to deliver items to customers
contacting the receiver to let them know it may be delayed
paying bills online or at banks, building societies and Post Offices as late payment may result in interest charges or penalties

You can read about the main issues to consider when delivering products to customers in our guide on fulfilling customer orders.

Consumer Focus, the consumer watchdog, is also offering postal users general advice on its website:

The Communication Workers Union voted in favour of national action, meaning the earliest any national action can take place will be in mid October.