Delays and Work Overload in Postal Services
Recent reports from the union representative have brought to light pressing issues facing postal services in the region. Since the departure of a mail carrier, the postal responsibilities have been shifted to a single worker in Lajares. This individual is now burdened not only with their own area but also with covering Majanicho, El Roque, and El Cotillo. “We’re talking about a population of approximately 3,600 residents,” noted González, highlighting the immense pressure on one individual. As a result, significant delays in mail delivery have been reported, with letters taking anywhere from 10 to 20 days to reach their destinations. Residents of El Cotillo and El Roque have even resorted to traveling to the postal distribution center to pick up their mail personally.
The root of this issue, according to González, lies in inadequate staffing. He criticized the unfair expectations placed on workers, stating, “They are asking one person to do the job that previously required two.” This situation raises concerns not only about the efficiency of mail delivery but also about the well-being and job satisfaction of postal workers who are increasingly stretched thin.
CCOO’s Concerns for the Province
The concerns voiced by the union extend beyond immediate staffing issues in Lajares. The union, representing the interests of workers in the province, highlighted a broader trend affecting postal services across the region. The delegate explained that there should ideally be around 80 postal workers on the island. However, the actual number currently stands between 50 and 60, creating a significant gap in workforce capacity. As the summer approaches, the situation appears to be worsening; forecasts for temporary hiring in the province of Las Palmas are looking bleak. This shortage comes as many workers will be taking vacations starting July 1, yet there seems to be no plan in place to hire additional staff.
González appealed for understanding from the public, encouraging patience as postal workers manage the mounting pressure. At the same time, he called for accountability from the leadership at Correos, stressing that the system needs urgent reform to address these staffing shortages.
Expert Opinions on the Postal System’s Condition
The implications of these issues were further discussed in a recent forum featuring experts, one of whom was Javier González Arencibia, a former postal worker who served between 1977 and 2013. Arencibia offered a critical perspective, suggesting that the decline in service quality might be intentionally orchestrated to justify privatization efforts. He stated, “They have sought to privatize everything, and this is a way to let the service deteriorate so that they can have an excuse to privatize.” His viewpoint adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing discussion about the future of postal services, as it suggests that systemic issues may stem from broader strategic decisions rather than just isolated workforce challenges.
