Suffolk: Every driver says delivery issues are down to management

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Courier Avery blamed senior management for Suffolk’s ongoing delivery problems.

The employee, who asked not to be identified, said that drivers have to work around the clock to address the backlog of packages, and claimed the reason behind this is because the company “takes more than it can handle.”

The company says it has absorbed additional workers, but the delivery sector has been hit by staff shortages and illness.

Avery has faced intense criticism in recent months, as people across the county have received orders late or not at all.

Evri has faced heavy criticism after some customers failed to take orders (Image: Newsquest)

“I understand the frustration,” said the driver.

Some of them haven’t been born for months.

But this is not through lack of trying.

“There is such a huge backlog and we are doing everything we can to get through it. We are mentally and physically exhausted.”

The courier said many customers were wrongly told that drivers got their packages four or five days before they received them.

These issues subsequently lead to drivers receiving abuse from frustrated shoppers.

“I understand why they are upset – especially at Christmas,” said the driver.

“But it is not in our control.

“We are working around the clock to solve this problem.”

Couriers alleged that drivers were struggling to meet quotas set by the company due to the huge volume of orders.

This has resulted in a number of employees working up to 27 days in a row and having their monthly bonuses wiped out.

“Some of us have to cancel our days off,” the driver said.

“But we can’t work any harder.

Some incidents have seen evry parcels found dumped in hedges (Photo: Andrew East)

“But we’ll get it all done by Christmas Eve — no matter how long it takes.”

An Avery spokesperson said the welfare of workers was a “top priority” and “bonuses are not about backlog and have not been withheld”.

He said: “Our couriers are self-employed and are free to choose how many parcels they want delivered, in what time frame and organize their days off.

“Some of our carriers have decided to deliver on Sundays during this peak to get additional revenue, but this has always been optional.

“We welcomed an additional 5,000 couriers at this peak and have been actively recruiting in the region since October but like others in the sector we have been affected by staff shortages and illness.

“While we are seeing record volumes at Christmas due to Royal Mail strikes and have experienced some delays due to inclement weather, our local teams are confident that all parcels will be delivered in time for Christmas.”

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