Last Mile Brief 28/03/2023: CWU calls on Post Office staff to vote in favour of 9% pay rise agreement

In today's Last Mile Brief, we bring you news of a potential pay agreement between the CWU union and UK Post Office staff, as well as stories on Amazon, Swiss Post, Australia Post, DHL and others.

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Today’s headline story: CWU calls on Post Office staff to vote in favour of 9% pay rise agreement

The CWU union has urged Post Office staff to agree to its negotiated proposal of a 9% across the board pay rise together with lump-sum payments ranging from £1.925k to £3k.

Commenting on the deal, which members are now being balloted on, CWU acting deputy general secretary postal, Andy Furey, said:

“We’re extremely appreciative of the patience and sustained determination that our members showed through what has been an extremely lengthy dispute and it’s our view that the money now on offer marks a considerable step forward – several steps forward – from what was initially an unacceptable position on the part of the employer.”

Ballot papers will go out to approximately 1,400 Post Office members from early this week, with voting closing on Tuesday 11th April.

If members endorse the deal, all CWU-grades will receive a fully consolidated 9 per cent pay increase with effect from 1st April 2023.

In addition, lump-sums ranging from £1,325 to £2,500(pro-rata for part-timers) will also be paid to all CWU-grades, with a further £650 to those with a 2022/23 basic salary below £24k and £500 for those with a 2022/23 basic salary above £24k.

A Post Office spokesperson said:

“We are pleased that the CWU agree that the offer we have put forward provides a fair deal for their members and that they will be recommending a yes vote. We hope to get a positive response from their members so we can get the new pay rates in colleagues’ pockets as soon as possible.”

Europe round up

DX has opened a new depot in Shrewsbury.
More and more companies are setting up in France giving people the opportunity to order their medicines online from a nearby pharmacy and have them delivered to their homes at any time of the day.
A tool developed by a former MoneySavingExpert.com employee is helping Amazon shoppers without a Prime account find inexpensive filler items to reach the £20 threshold required to qualify for free delivery.
Amazon and other online retailers who use so-called free delivery to cultivate customer loyalty are scrambling to keep it from draining profits as costs climb and e-commerce contracts.
DHL Global Forwarding has reportedly announced the closure of its representative office in Azerbaijan.
An owner of one of Germany’s legendary Späti convenience shops has claimed that a PUDO point at his location has doubled footfall, with roughly 1 in 5 people who collect an item also purchasing something at the same time.
Swiss Post has unveiled its new location in Pratteln.
Bol.com has developed two logistics services – 'Shipping via bol.com’ and 'Shipping via bol.com+’ – whereby partners can use the warehouses, fulfilment and shipping expertise of bol.com.

North America round up

A new bill introduced by a Brooklyn state lawmaker would impose a 25 cent tax on all products purchased online with Amazon and other e-tailers in New York City.
Instacart will now let brands run ads for random weight produce items like bananas and grapes with price-look-up (PLU) codes or stickers.
Walmart has announced layoffs affecting approximately 200 employees at its Bethlehem and Pennsylvania fulfilment centres.

News from the rest of the world

Advisers have called for greater protection of couriers’ rights in China.
Independent food delivery riders in Thailand are advocating for equitable employee benefits and support while facing work hazards.
Australia Post has released its 2023 Inside Australian Online Shopping Report, which reveals that 9.4 million Australian households shopped online in 2022.