Readers' Best Comments

Strikes by binmen and posties bring rats and Royal Mail bosses out in force, while dogs are kept in check with a new spray

Who's to blame for the rise in vermin reported on the streets as rubbish is left uncollected?

The problem is caused by the rats who run the city who want to cut the wages of the poorest workers.
Concerned Citizen

The binmen need to get real. They (like the postal workers) need to adopt modern working practices and pay structures.
Muz, Edinburgh

Do we get a reduction in our council tax payments as we are getting next to no refuse service at the moment?
Jeff Randall

Hey, Edinburgh is getting to look more like Toronto, Ontario, as they have an ongoing strike that was started four weeks ago. The city has opened most of the parks so people can put there garbage there. It's a stinking mess.
Kirspin, Fergus, Ontario

Another strike: this time postal workers. With Royal Mail bosses pounding the pavements tomorrow, will they get a warmer reception from readers than the rats?

Another attempt by Royal Mail management to put the service in a bad light and pave the way for privatisation that will allow the top directors to get their greedy hands on more of our jewels. Good luck to the posties – you deserve our support for protecting OUR industry.
Andy 52, Niddrie

Royal Mail treats its staff like dirt – caused by greedy managers only concerned about their big fat bonuses.
Mike 1

Privatisation is the best thing for them.
A Friend of Fernando Poo

The management need to take on the CWU and crush them. This is a dying business that is costing the taxpayer £1 million a day. Outdated working practices and protectionist union tactics are driving the business into the ground. If they don't accept the change soon there will be nothing left to change and they will all be in the jobcentre. Wake up and smell the coffee CWU. This is 2009, not 1979.
Ecto

The mail service in 1979 was excellent. You knew your postie and you knew what time he would deliver your mail. Modernisation? You can stuff it.

Xena, Warrior Princess

Can't say I'll notice any change in service. Most of my mail arrives once a week with "No answer" written on it – when they claim no-one was in to answer the buzzer. I work from home and regularly get deliveries from private couriers without a problem. Good ol' Royal Mail.

Stuart M, Edinburgh

How about posties carrying 'Bite-Back' sprays to ward off dogs? Any sympathy?

It is not the dogs' fault they are left out in all weathers, not trained and out of control. People make dogs wild and fierce. Irresponsible dog owners should be fined and banned from keeping dogs; it really is that simple. Feeble reassurance like "he'll no touch ye son" or "he just wants a bit of attention" don't wash. Amazing how quickly people get their animals under control when they stop getting their mail!

Once Bitten Twice Shy

Dogs are conditioned to react to people coming to the front door. I know one family that had a terrier that was encouraged to race to the door and make a noise when the postie came. Said postie got a not-so-friendly nip to his fingers.

Speedy Gonzales, Edinburgh