Morning everyone! It gives me great pleasure in being able to write a few words on how proud I am to represent the 15,000 members in the CWU North East Division. I have held this position since 1998 and I have never witnessed anything like what has happened since Covid19 raised its’ ugly head.
 
Throughout the years I have seen tremendous acts’ of faith by our members towards the public and charities but nothing like what we have witnessed over the past month, bringing smiles to people / customers because they are performing their delivery in fancy dress or leaving notes for the old and vulnerable running errands for them outside of work hours making sure they stay safe and don’t go hungry, despite the pressure that our postwomen and postmen are under.
 
If you want to know how your Postie is feeling through this pandemic just read this message that I received from one of our members. “Must admit for the first time in 24 years as a Postman I had a bit of a cry sitting in my van today overwhelmed with all the work we've got at the moment today the round I was on had 3 days’ worth of packets and parcels to do never experienced anything like it! even at Xmas”. This brings home what our members are going through to ensure you get your mail 6 days a week every week to every household throughout the UK.

I remained silent on Workers Memorial Day for those that have lost their lives in the past and unfortunately those that have during this pandemic, I will especially spare a thought for those postmen who have been at the forefront as key workers delivering your mail who unfortunately have lost their life to this awful virus.
 
Bob McGuire
CWU North East Division