The cost for small businesses of mail being delayed has been estimated at £2.5m for each postal strike.
Postal workers are currently in the middle of a two-week period of striking. Each division of Royal Mail will strike on a different day during the fortnight in a deliberate move by the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) to cause continuous disruption.
According to figures from a 2006 Postcomm report, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) found that small and medium-sized businesses send more than eight million items a day through franking machines.
The organisation calculated that with post run through a franking machine costing either 32p or 22p, the value of the post delayed every day that a strike occurs ranges from £1,808,219 to £2,630,136.
Natalie Evans, head of policy at the BCC, said: “Most smaller sized businesses have no option but to use Royal Mail and collectively spend millions of pounds each day on their post.
“This series of strikes is doing nothing but causing delay and frustration for those who rely on the postal service and the sooner it is resolved the better.”
Matt Hardman, campaigns manager at the Forum of Private Business said the strikes were ‘extremely disappointing’.
“Many smaller businesses are dependent on an efficient postal system for deliveries and they may lose custom as a result. Alternatively payment may be slower impacting on cash flow.
“It is unfortunate that the Communication Workers’ Union has taken the action. They should not hold business to ransom for their inability to resolve this dispute.”
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
