Royal Mail Postal Strikes 2022
05 December 2022
Latest Advice
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) members who collect, sort, distribute and deliver parcels and letters for the Royal Mail have ongoing strike action taking place over multiple dates in December. With the usual build up of deliveries on the approach to the festive season, the full impact of these strike dates is now causing a significant impact.
Samples
The lab is open as usual and please be reassured that all samples are being tested on the day that we receive them, so results are sent to you that same day. However an unsustainable number of samples are now being lost or delayed in the postal system so are arriving beyond viable testing. This is sadly out of our control and very frustrating for us all.
Please now delay sending samples until January 3rd 2023
While some samples are reaching us within a week, a significant number are now taking far longer. We regret that we now are now recommending that only urgent samples, e.g. for a veterinary issue are sent via special delivery or courier.
If you haven’t heard from us
For all worm egg counts: please leave it SIX days from posting before following up with a call to see if your sample has arrived with us. If we have it within this time you’ll receive your result that day. You can also log in to your online account and see if your samples have been processed – once this happens a result will follow shortly.
Samples received after six days aren’t viable to test. In this instance we will email/text you to let you know they’ve arrived and send you a new collection kit/vouchers asking you to resample in the new year. There is no additional cost to you for this resample. This all takes time and delays your results and we recognise it’s enormously frustrating – it pains us too! But it’s essential for ensuring we generate the most accurate test results possible.
For EquiSal tests: The preservative solution in the test tubes means an EquiSal test is stable for three weeks in transit before testing.
Please help us to help you by
- Dating the back of the envelope to say when the sample was taken/posted. This helps us process the post more quickly and assess if any are too old to test.
- Using your customer ID (where you know it) on vouchers and communications as this really helps us to locate your details faster.
- Expect delays due to postal strike disruption and backlog, rather than hold ups in the lab.
- We know it's frustrating and will do everything we can to help but this is out of our control; please be kind.
Orders
Please be aware that 1st class post is currently taking on average 2-14 days. The items are sent franked mail so no tracking is available. Please wait at least 7 working days before contacting us if they have not been received. Also be aware that 2nd class items may take 7-21 days to reach you.
Big thanks from the Westgate Team
Latest strike dates and updates from Royal Mail can be found using the link below: