Eleven postal workers opt for voluntary redundancy

The mail plane ceased operating to and from the island in October

Eleven postal workers have taken voluntary redundancy on the Isle of Man in the past six months following the scrapping of the mail plane.

The service, operated by Royal Mail to carry mail to and from the island, was stopped in October, ending the next day delivery guarantee between UK and Manx addresses.

Isle of Man Post Office chairman Stu Peters said the organisation had since been going through a "period of change", but no compulsory redundancies had been issued during the period.

However, he said the departures from the organisation had been "primarily as a result of the mail plane being stopped by Royal Mail and duties changing", and the average payment to each had been £17,147.

'Alternative roles'

Airmail was scrapped following the announcement that automatic next-day delivery between the island and the UK would stop, removing the guarantee to Jersey, Guernsey and Manx addresses.

Since October, post has been transported using the existing ferry services.

Mr Peters told the House of Keys as well as the redundancies, seven staff members had chosen "suitable alternative roles" and two had been offered different roles "pending their agreement".

Recruitment needs at the organisation were "continually under review" with two external recruits having been appointed and a further two vacancies currently being advertised, he said.