Health and safety not 'laziness' to blame for postal probs

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Health and safety — not 'laziness' — to blame for postal problems

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/News/Fife/a ... blems.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The partner of a Fife postie has come to the defence of Royal Mail workers after they were branded "lazy".

Last week, postal workers were criticised by a Leven resident for not delivering mail during the recent bout of severe weather, and were accused of "sheer laziness."

But The Courier has been contacted by a woman who said her partner had been told by his bosses not to deliver to some areas. And she said many posties had fallen on ice-covered pavements when they had ventured out.

"It came from management that posties were not allowed to go out, for their own health and safety," she said. "My partner is a postie and he fell and hurt his back. A lot of them have fallen. The roads are still treacherous and I feel it's not fair on the posties.

"It's not easy walking about. It may be all right to walk to the car but they're walking about for two to three hours at a time."

Kenny Logan, area delivery office representative for the Communication Workers Union, said across the UK between 50 and 60 posties had been seriously hurt in accidents as a result of the snow and ice, and the union had come to an agreement with Royal Mail directors about working during adverse weather.

'Spikies'
In extreme conditions, staff have been told to carry less mail and work in pairs. They have also been told not to attempt to drive vehicles down uncleared residential streets.

Postal staff have been issued with "spikies" to help them walk on icy pavements. However, Mr Logan said they did not help posties walk in deep snow.

"We're delighted with how both our members and the business have handled things," he said. "They haven't forced people out when it's been unsafe. It's refreshing that both sides are managing to find a way forward.

"We will attempt to deliver where we can but the public have to fully understand that we have to look after our members' health and safety."

A Royal Mail spokeswoman denied posties had been told not to deliver.

She said, "We have not told anyone not to deliver mail. All our postmen and women are out delivering in every part of Fife, and while the health and safety of our people is important to us, we do tell our people to work safely and sensibly. They are used to working in challenging conditions."

[DGP1]

A Royal Mail spokeswoman denied posties had been told not to deliver.

We where told not to deliver to anywhere we didn't feel safe, so either we have been lied to or she is telling porkies

[jockstrapp]

I don't need to be told not to deliver if it's dangerous I make my own decisions. Maybe if the lazy BASTARDS cleared their paths they would get their mail.

[brothermagrew]

A Royal Mail spokeswoman denied posties had been told not to deliver.

We where told not to deliver to anywhere we didn't feel safe, so either we have been lied to or she is telling porkies

Likewise we were told common sense has to prevail in other words if in doubt leave it out endorse the mail accordingly - and would have to surmise she is telling PORKIES