Oxford dispute ( by Oxford Mail local newspaper)

oxon · Post by **oxon** » 15 Sep 2007, 23:06

Post staff to vote on strike
Postal workers in Oxford could be on the brink of yet more strike action following a dramatic sorting office showdown.

Tempers flared yesterday after a suspended worker, at the centre of a five-day wildcat walkout in July, was allegedly dismissed.

Following a subsequent scuffle, a union official was rushed to hospital with a heart scare.

News of the dismissal sparked an immediate reaction from the Oxford branch of the Communication Workers' Union - which voted for a fast-track ballot for strike action.

Noel Fay, Oxford branch representative of the CWU, said: "We consider this to be totally outrageous."

Yesterday's events began when the suspended worker, Steven Gill, was called in to hear what would happen to him following an internal investigation into an incident which sparked the strike in July.

Union officials claim that after Mr Gill was told he was being dismissed, there was a confrontation involving Bob Cullen, 58, who suffers from a heart condition, and a manager at the Royal Mail sorting centre in Cowley.

Mr Fay said: "No reason was given for the dismissal - they said he was sacked and we asked why, because it's a legal requirement to give the decision in writing.

"The manager then came back with a letter and it was then the incident happened."

Mr Cullen, a father of four, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital after complaining of feeling unwell.

An ambulance service spokesman said: "A man was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital suffering from heart problems."

Last night, a hospital spokesman said he was "doing well."

Police spokesman Rebecca Webber said: "A man told officers at Cowley police at 11.10am yesterday he had been assaulted at the Royal Mail sorting office. He was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital shortly after speaking to police, claiming he was feeling unwell.

"The allegation surrounded a common assault, or a push, on the front steps of the sorting office building. Police spoke to Royal Mail staff yesterday. No-one has been arrested."

Mr Fay added that he believed managers had tried to provoke a wildcat walkout by staff in a bid to scupper the legality of national strike action over pay and conditions, which is set to start again later this month.

He said: "We are convinced that management were trying to push the button in Oxford, because of the national situation.

"But we did not take the bait and did not take any industrial action immediately. Instead we will have a fast-track ballot in three weeks, which has already been given authorisation."

CWU spokesman Sian Jones said the request for the vote had been received and would be approved by national officials on Monday, although she could not confirm whether it would include only the 500 staff at the sorting office, or 2,000 staff across Oxfordshire.

Last night, Royal Mail spokesman Richard Hall said: "Royal Mail does not comment on ongoing personnel issues."

Carla · Post by **Carla** » 15 Sep 2007, 23:28

Most managers are w*****s anyway given the current situation

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 15 Sep 2007, 23:37

It' a good job that we can't get guns like the yanks

Post by **wranglered** » 16 Sep 2007, 06:33

Hope Bob is ok - had a similar experience myself - unfortunately I predict much more of this coming our way.....

norbet colon · Post by **norbet colon** » 16 Sep 2007, 11:03

wranglered wrote:Hope Bob is ok - had a similar experience myself - unfortunately I predict much more of this coming our way.....

-Certainly wanted rid of that rep all along,despite getting Wardy in with Crozier to calm things down . I've read some very interesting anonymous comments in the Oxford Mail Comment on this story . The orders to the MCM obviously came from on high , a Area Rep is one hell of a scalp and there's plenty of Brownie Points for it . Wouldn't stand up in a ET though . Yes there will be plenty more of that, given RM's Senior & Area Mgt .

oxon · Post by **oxon** » 19 Sep 2007, 15:22

Posties to vote on strike action
A fast track ballot for strike action by Oxfordshire postal workers will open on Tuesday with the result being announced a week later.

The move follows the sacking of postmen Steven Gill and John Doran at the Oxford Mail Centre in Cowley for gross misconduct.

Communication Workers Union spokesman Sian Jones said: "The question being asked is 'Are you prepared to take strike action?' "Notice of any action and what form it will take will be decided upon when the vote comes in."

If a strike is announced, it will run separately from national strike action over pay and conditions, with an announcement about that due imminently.

The Royal Mail invited the CWU to come up with new proposals and return to the negotiating table.

1:02pm today

By Andrew Smith

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fatherchristmas · Post by **fatherchristmas** » 19 Sep 2007, 15:54

best wishes to Bob, Senior management seem to be doing their best to push us out at watford, delivery posties are having their pay stopped,for not being preeped on time cutting off etc etc its a real bitch of a situation. good luck to you boys and girls at oxford. :cfo :lfo .