Royal Mail has recruited almost 20,000 people to handle the shipping volumes of around 2 billionitems during this year’s holiday season.
The UK postal operator expects to handle around 750 million Christmas cards this year as well as165 million items ordered online which would equal an increase of ten million compared to lastyear.
The recruited workers will work in mail and distribution centres across the UK helping to sortChristmas cards and packets before they go to more than 1,400 delivery offices for postmen andwomen to take out on their rounds.
More than 70,000 people applied to work with Royal Mail over the Christmas period. Royal Mail’sHead of Resourcing, Maurice Harbottle, said: “We have seen a phenomenal response from people keento earn extra money over the festive season and help Royal Mail deliver a great Christmas for itscustomers.”
In line with the promising volumes expectations for this festive season, the Royal Mail servicequality report covering the second quarter of 2010/11 revealed that its First and Second ClassMail, business bulk mail and Standard parcels have beaten the delivery targets.
A total of 93.7% of First Class stamped and metered mail was delivered the next working dayafter posting beating the 93.0% target. Second Class stamped and metered mail achieved a 99.0%performance, ahead of the target of 98.5% to be delivered within three working days after posting.Standard parcels were also above target at 96.8% surpassing the target of 90.0%.
Mark Higson, Royal Mail’s Managing Director, said: “These results have been delivered alongsideRoyal Mail’s wide-ranging modernisation programme. They are a credit to our postmen and women’scommitment and dedication to our customers.”
