Christmas excitement at the La Poste “Parcel-Mail Services” platform in Vendres: up to 6,000 parcels pass through each day

Since November, the number of parcels to be delivered daily can triple on some days. Antonia Jimenez – ML

Since November, the number of parcels to be delivered daily can triple on some days. Antonia Jimenez – ML

Since November, the number of parcels to be delivered daily can triple on some days. Antonia Jimenez – ML

Since November, the number of parcels to be delivered daily can triple on some days. Antonia Jimenez – ML

Since November, the number of parcels to be delivered daily can triple on some days. Antonia Jimenez – ML

Since November, the number of parcels to be delivered daily can triple on certain days. Antonia Jimenez – ML

With Christmas parcels in order, the 90 agents of the La Poste platform, located in the Via Europa area, in Vendres, have been preparing, since September, for the increase in the number of parcels and letters to be delivered during the holidays.

“At La Poste, Christmas starts in September”, says Jean-Luc Mathey, the director of the Parcel-Mail Services platform, located in the Via Europa area of ​​Vendres. In the huge warehouse-style space on the ground floor, the postal workers are busy. Of the 2,900 parcels that the agents handle on average every day during the year, they have, for some time now, had to sort, scan, store and load into cars double the number of packages, or even triple. They contain, for the most part, the highly anticipated Christmas presents. These arrive on the site between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m.

This Wednesday, December 11, under the supervision of team leader David Blin, after delivery, 78 large carts are filled with about 5,000 packages. They are unloaded to be placed on a conveyor belt that crosses the entire parcel area.

From 6 a.m., the conveyor belt of this platform, which has become a real anthill, is activated. On either side, each postman has his “position” (his space for his round). When a package arrives that is intended for him, he grabs it and places it on the appropriate shelf.

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A reinforcement of 7 agents

“To respond to this increase, we have recruited seven reinforcements for the parcel part – mainly fixed-term contracts until December 24 –, who are in addition to the 17 postal workers, for a total of 90 staff, all services combined, explains the director. That is why preparations for Christmas began in September. Recruitment, necessary training, rental of additional vehicles, anticipation of flows… All this to be ready in November. First for Black Friday, around November 15-16, then for Christmas. Some days, we have to process up to 6,000 parcels, especially on Wednesdays, these are the weekend orders.”

Let's go on the rounds…

The workload for the agents therefore does not change: 6 a.m.–1 p.m. Adélaïde is one of the postwomen and assistant to the team leader. One of her missions is to replace her colleagues. On December 11, the postwoman is in charge of the two Béziers neighborhoods, Bonaval and Les Oiseaux. “I have 103 parcels to deliver today, to individuals but also to drop off at La Poste Pickup relays. Some are also intended for cargo bikes, which make up the pedestrian city center of Béziers. The parcels are prepared here but will be delivered by Clemenceau's postmen.”

She charges the electric car. “It's important for the carbon footprint, but also more pleasant because they are automatic vehicles that don't make noise.” Adélaïde takes the wheel. “The Christmas rounds do indeed have a specific feature: some customers, who are very attached to La Poste, are waiting for us with little gifts. Last year, a carpenter gave me a little wooden tree that he had made himself containing treats, she smiles. With my parcels, I feel like a Christmas elf.”

“I recommend placing your orders by December 19th at the latest”

At 10am, on the platform, the mail carriers' carts continue to cross and intersect, the conveyor belt is still busy.

In the mail section, the same thing. The postmen sort and put away the envelopes. The atmosphere and smiles are festive. Because they all have the same goal: “Deliver the packages on time so that on December 24, they all end up under the tree, the director explains. In fact, on the 24th, the staff comes to work in disguise. We will be on duty on December 24 until 6 p.m. so that customers can come and collect their packages directly from the platform.” And Jean-Luc Mathey adds: “Please note that to be sure of being delivered on time, I recommend placing your orders on December 19th at the latest. After that, it is difficult to ensure delivery.”

Send your letter to Santa Claus

Children can send their letter to Santa Claus until December 20th. Accompanied by his 60 elves, the big red and white man took up his “postal” quarters on November 20th, in his workshop in Libourne (33) where he receives, reads and answers all the letters. This year, he is supported by the artist and novelist Olivia Ruiz who gives him some ideas for writing the children's responses.

To send their missive, there are two solutions: the traditional letter which consists of slipping their message into an envelope with the address of their choice with the words “Santa Claus”, without forgetting to indicate their name and address on the back to be sure of receiving a response; the digital letter available on the website of the Santa Claus Secretariat: pere-noel.laposte.fr

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