The Communication Workers Union (CWU) reports that Royal Mail is currently losing approximately 400 postal staff each week. This figure represents an increase from the 330 departures per week previously seen within the 83,000-strong workforce before the implementation of the DM26 delivery system. According to the Communication Workers Union (CWU), who claims this number has gone up since the company introduced a new delivery system earlier this year, about 400 postmen and women are leaving Royal Mail per week.
Designed to reorganize delivery routes for better performance, the DM26 system is intended to create a more “efficient and financially sustainable” service. Under this framework, second-class mail is delivered every other weekday, while first-class letters and parcels are expected to be prioritized for daily delivery. The transition involves grouping workers into teams of three and adjusting walking patterns across their rounds.
However, the union contends that the new system is failing in hundreds of delivery offices. Staff speaking anonymously have warned of a potential “nightmare” during the busy Christmas season, noting that despite the changes, parcels continue to take priority over letters. Some workers reported that sorting procedures intended to separate mail types are causing significant time delays during shifts.
One staff member in the West Midlands described a situation where first-class mail was left undelivered due to systemic backlogs that have persisted for weeks. The worker expressed skepticism regarding internal reporting, suggesting that managers may be marking items as delivered even when they remain in sorting facilities. In response, a Royal Mail spokesperson stated that the company remains committed to ensuring all mail and parcels are delivered on time.
