Small businesses have endured several months of postal chaos as a result of the dispute between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union. The news today of a fresh dispute between the troubled postal firm and a second union will come as a harsh blow to those who rely on smooth postal services to make a living.
Unite, which represents 12,000 managers, claims that Royal Mail wants to close its pension scheme to current members and raise the retirement age, and has now warned the firm that it too may initiate strike action.
With the British Chambers of Commerce estimating that each postal strike costs UK small businesses £2.5m, this latest Royal Mail fiasco will hit home hard for the countless businesses already struggling to find alternative arrangements for their postal requirements.
Since the industry regulator Postcomm opened the postal sector up to competition, several other companies have managed to offer an alternative to Royal Mail. When it comes to sending a package, there are alternative options for small businesses out there, but what about those waiting to receive crucial mail through their letterbox?
You may be able to avoid Royal Mail for your outgoing post, but how do you get all your customers to send their cheques and payments via a different company? Cashflow can make or break a firm, and a delay in being paid for that last big invoice can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
Whatever’s going on during those crisis talks between Royal Mail and the unions, it’s clearly not working. The UK’s small businesses need a lasting resolution delivered fast.
