Correos aims to be first past the post this Christmas

The Palma Post Office (Correos) boldly announced yesterday that they have recruited 70 more staff and will be allowing existing staff to do 900 hours of over-time in efforts to cope with the Christmas mail rush. The Post Office calculated yesterday that they would be dealing with more than 10 million letters and cards during the festive season. A spokesperson said yesterday “this year we have doubled our resources and we predict few problems.” Also on the two Saturdays before Christmas and the one afterwards there will be special deliveries and collections. The following Post Offices will be open all day (until 8.30pm): in El Terrenno, Es Forti (Calle Goethe) -- these are open already, and from next Monday in Son Gotleu, and Post Office in El Corte Ingles. The Post Office also announced that they would be increasing their mail transport system by 10 percent which should offer a faster and more effective service. The Post Office is also co-operating with UNICEF selling its ever popular Christmas cards. Last year 15 percent of total sales of these cards in Spain were made by the Post Office. To show that old correos is keeping up with the times and as a service to youngsters, children can send their letters to the Three Kings via the Internet. To take advantage of this service the website is www.correos.es. All entries must have a name and address along with a telephone number. The sender will receive an e-mailed reply. The Internet website will be functioning from December 15 to the 30. This year the Post Office appears to be unaffected by industrial disputes which have sometimes resulted in Christmas go-slows or even strike action. The extra Christmas recruitment drive and the over-time arrangements have all been cleared with the trade unions.