Jackie Baillie paid a visit to the Royal Mail sorting office in Alexandria to see first-hand the operation of delivering Christmas post and to pass on the best wishes of the season to hardworking staff there.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP met with our dedicated posties who, despite challenges, are pulling out all the stops to sort and deliver mail for Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven over the Christmas period.

The festive season is Royal Mail’s busiest period, as millions of people shop online for gifts and send Christmas cards and parcels. There is a huge amount of effort and dedication that goes into delivering a first-class Christmas.

This year, the postal workers have been taking part in strike action as they battle for fair pay and conditions.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) have taken industrial action with more strikes planned before the end of the year. They were offered a well below-inflation increase to pay as well as changes to their working conditions including mandatory Sunday working.

Jackie Baillie MSP said “The posties at the Alexandria sorting office, are among some of the most hardworking and dedicated Royal Mail staff I have met. It is disappointing that they are forced into strike action due to derisory pay offers and enforced changes to their working conditions.

“This group of workers are not against change but that needs to be the right move for the business and for staff.

“Christmas is one of their busiest times of the year and even with strike action taking place, when they are on duty, the staff keep delivering with a smile on their face.

“Thank you to our hardworking posties who are doing all they can to make sure our parcels and cards are delivered by Christmas.”