LISTEN: Postal workers at the main sorting office in Derry/Londonderry in deep clean "stand off"

By Q Radio news

Postal workers in Derry Londonderry are refusing to enter the main sorting office until a deep clean is carried out.

The Communications Workers Union says third of its 120-strong workforce - are off work because of Covid-19.

The union said 17 staff at the office have tested positive, with 13 of those having been diagnosed since Friday.

Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Martina Anderson has urged Royal Mail in Derry to put into place contingency plans for services in the city.

She was speaking following being contacted by a number of members of staff at the Great James Street Sorting Office with concerns after several postal workers tested positive for Covid and others are now off work self-isolating. 

The Foyle MLA said:

“Firstly I would like to send my best wishes all to the postal workers at the Derry Sorting Office affected by Covid19 and wish them all a speedy recovery. 

“We are entering what is normally a busy time of the year for the Post Office when they normally bring in temporary staff for the Christmas period. With several workers now off and others having to self-isolate I am calling on Royal Mail to put in place a contingency plan straight away to deal with the situation.  

Martina Anderson speaking to Q Radio News

“It's important that there is as little interruption to services as possible particularly during this period when people are relying on it now more than ever. 

A Royal Mail Spokesperson said: “Royal Mail takes the health and safety of its colleagues, its customers and the local communities in which we operate very seriously. A number of colleagues have tested positive for coronavirus at the Derry Delivery Office. They are now recuperating at home and we wish them a speedy recovery. Some colleagues are also self-isolating. We have completed an intensive clean of the building and this has caused a minor disruption to service. We are working to resolve any additional concerns with our colleagues and our union.

Throughout this crisis, every decision we make puts the health of our people and customers first. We have put in place a range of preventive measures to protect both our customers and our colleagues. We were the first UK company to put in place social-distancing measures in relation to parcel delivery. We pioneered contact-free delivery. We are temporarily not handing over our hand-held devices to customers to capture signatures. As well as encouraging good hand hygiene, standard ways of working have been revised to ensure that colleagues maintain appropriate social distancing at all times. All staff have been briefed about the social distancing measures jointly agreed by local management and the CWU. This has been supplemented with visible reminders such as posters and one-way floor markings”.