Wednesday 27th June 2007
It has been announced that industrial action will take place involving postal workers, cash services workers and those working in “Crown” Post Office branches on Friday 29th June and Monday 2 July 2007. The action by postal workers will take place on 29 June, whilst the action by those working in “Crown” Post Office branches will take place on the mornings of 29 June and 2 July.
Further strikes are possible over the following two weeks though there has been no confirmation of any further strike action.
How this may affect our customers
Your passport delivery
All new passports are delivered to customers by SMS (Secure Mail Services). There will be no delay on this service.
Your postal passport application
Customers who have submitted their passport application via Royal Mail 1st or 2nd Class may experience a delay in the delivery to IPS and therefore must allow additional time.
Your application via Check and Send at the Post Office
Applications submitted via Check & Send are delivered to IPS by Royal Mail Special Delivery. All attempts will be made by Royal Mail to maintain this service; however they may still experience a delay and therefore must allow additional time.
Your supporting documents
Customers have the option to pay for the return of their supporting documents by secure delivery via SMS and are encouraged to do so. There will be no delay on this service.
Customers who have not paid for the secure delivery of their supporting documents may experience a delay as these are delivered using the Royal Mail 2nd Class Service.
I have not yet submitted my application, should I wait until the strike is over?
Although the initial strike is only scheduled to last for 24 hours this will have considerable impact on Royal Mail deliveries. IPS suggest that customers uses the Check & Send service as the applications should be delivered to IPS the next working day by Royal Mail Special Delivery.
Customers should however note that some larger Check & Send branches may offer a reduced service, as a result of separate industrial action within the Post Office network of “Crown Branches”, on the mornings of 29 June and 2 July.
Where can I find out further information about the strike?
Further information about the strike is available on the Royal Mail website www.royalmail.com
Customers are reminded not to book any travel arrangements until they receive their passports.
