City posties have warned if people want Christmas cards delivered on time they will need to get them sent as early as TOMORROW.
Deliveries of Christmas cards are being delayed because postal workers are being ordered by Royal Mail bosses to prioritise large packages.
That is the claim from an anonymous Royal Mail staffer, who apologised to households and businesses over strike action - led by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) - adding it was the "last thing" they wanted to do.
But they added strike action was needed to protect the 500-year-old service, as well as staff pay and conditions, and recommended people must post cards immediately.
They said: "We have been told to prioritise packets over letters. Mail has been sitting in sorting offices for weeks.
"Every single post box in Norwich will be rammed with Christmas cards. They're important for families including those whose relatives live abroad. They are waiting for that card.
"To us letters are as important as packages. Cards will be delivered but not as quickly.
“If we don’t strike, Royal Mail will turn into a version of Amazon.
"Posties know their communities. We are a lifeline."
Another anonymous Royal Mail employee said: "There is low morale. There are delays in deliveries each year at Christmas but this year will be worse."
Lorraine Wood, co-owner of Woods Interiors and Coffee Bar in Roundtree Close, Sprowston, said she changed from using Royal Mail to courier UPS three months ago to send and receive soft furnishings and home accessories because of delays.
She said: "As a business you have to adapt. Deliveries are important for business survival as people shop online."
Suzanne White, director of beauty and wellness brand Juni & Co which opened in the Royal Arcade in August 2022 after trading online since 2020, said it had fewer online orders than expected this Christmas.
She said: "I think people are worried about the parcel not arriving."
A Royal Mail spokesman said: "The CWU is striking at our busiest time, holding Christmas to ransom for customers.
"We apologise to customers and urge them to post early for Christmas.
"We have contingency plans to minimise delays during industrial action.
"Royal Mail does not operate a policy of prioritising parcels.
"We remind colleagues that the delivery, collection and processing of letters and parcels should be treated with equal importance."
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