Union cites sharp rise in departures
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has told the BBC that Royal Mail is losing about 400 postal workers a week, and that the pace of departures has increased since the operator introduced a new delivery system. The union said the system is "not working" in hundreds of delivery offices across the UK.
CWU figures and concerns
The union's figures, provided to the broadcaster, reflect what it describes as a recruitment and retention crisis triggered by the operational changes. The CWU warned that continued staff losses risked further pressure on remaining employees and could affect service reliability in some areas.
Rollout under scrutiny
The new delivery system — implemented by Royal Mail as part of wider operational changes — is at the centre of the dispute. The CWU has argued that the rollout has been problematic in multiple offices, blaming the changes for increasing workload and prompting more staff to leave. The union's assessment highlights tensions between workforce unions and management over how the service modernises and organises day-to-day operations.
Potential implications and next steps
If sustained, the level of departures cited by the CWU would pose challenges for Royal Mail's ability to maintain service levels and recruit the staff needed to operate under the new model. The union is pressing for action to address what it calls a failing rollout, while the operator faces the task of balancing reform with workforce stability. Royal Mail has not been quoted in the union's statement provided to the BBC in the material summarised here.