Royal Mail warns Christmas season could be affected by CWU strike

The UK's Communications Workers Union has announced that it will hold a ballot for a full national postal strike if ongoing talks with the universal postal service are not concluded by the 20th September. The union is currently working to get a better deal than the "below-inflation" Royal Mail pay offer as well as protesting the proposed changes to the employee pension schemes and the effect of privatisation on postal workers' terms&conditions and job security.

If a solution is not reached in time, then 125,000 Royal Mail workers will be eligible to vote in a ballot on industrial action, the result of which should be released around 3rd October. If approved, the Union is required to give at least 7 days notice before going on strike, meaning the earliest possible strike date is around 10th October.

Along with the threat of a national strike, Royal Mail is also contending with multiple localised disputes, most recently in Plymouth. Royal Mail are reported to be "very disappointed" that a timeline has been issued for a national ballot and have warned that the proposed industrial action could threaten operations in the run up to the festive season. A statement issued by the organisation declared: “Any industrial action, or the possibility of disruption, is damaging to our customers, and our business, especially in the run up to our busiest time, Christmas.”

In the meantime, door-to-door couriers are also gearing up to the Christmas period.

Source: Post & Parcel

FedEx team rings NYSE bell and celebrates Free Shipping day

Today is “Free Shipping“ day for many online retail businesses. Last year, online retails sales reached a staggering $1 billion in revenue on this particular day. This year $29.3 billion have already been generated during the holiday season.

Dave Rebholz, president and CEO, FedEx Ground said that the company was “very proud of the people across the entire FedEx network making the holiday happen. Their commitment and efforts are ensuring we seamlessly deliver Christmas during our busiest season ever.” 

FedEx services have enabled many online retailers to have their products delivered quickly and safely – just in time for Christmas. For this season FedEx team members have been given the honour to ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange today.

Source: FedEx

FedEx prepares for early Christmas rush and 280 million shipment high

With the holiday season just around the corner, FedEx is getting for an early peak in shipping volume.

In fact, the US courier company has forecasted its busiest day to be Monday, 10^th December with 19 million shipments being handled by its global network of freight, express and courier staff.

“The continued trend toward record peak volumes is a testament to the strength, speed and reliability of the FedEx Ground and FedEx SmartPost networks,” said Frederick W. Smith, founder and chairman of FedEx.

Compared to the shipping volume generated on 12^th December 2012, FedEx expects 2 million more shipments to be moved through the hands of its Christmas staff this year. This would result in a year-on-year increase of 10 percent.

“FedEx team members from around the globe, 300,000 strong, are prepared to help drive commerce during the busy holiday season and beyond”, confirmed Smith.

20,000 additional staff will be hired to help with the increased shipping volume. FedEx hopes to move approximately 280 million shipments between Thanksgiving and Christmas through its network.

Source: Post&Parcel / FedEx