Burnley Royal Mail staff walk out as union rep is sacked

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ne ... y/10907244._/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

ROYAL Mail staff in Burnley have staged an impromptu walk-out in support of a union colleague who they believe has been unfairly dismissed.

The walk out is in support of former Burnley Council leader Stuart Caddy, who is chair of the East Lancashire branch of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), and who has worked for Royal Mail for a number of years.

Royal Mail was forced to draft in managers and volunteers to deliver and collect mail following the walk-out. When asked about the nature of the dispute, a spokesperson refused to disclose the cause of the dispute.

A CWU spokesman said he could not discuss details of the case as it was pending an appeal, but said that staff had taken unofficial industrial action yesterday morning.

He said: “A trade union official has been dismissed and staff feel quite strongly about it and they’ve decided to walk out spontaneously.

“It is being dealt with through the national disciplinary process, but staff feel quite strongly this is a guy with long standing, very well respected, so they’ve taken some action in regard to solidarity with the person concerned.

“This person is well respected and has looked after these people for many years.

“An official request has also been put in by staff for an industrial action ballot. A request has been put to the national executive to conduct a national ballot.”

Royal Mail spokesperson Val Bodden said: “Royal Mail would like to apologise to customers in the BB10, BB11 and BB12 postcode areas affected by the unofficial strike taken this morning by colleagues at Burnley Delivery Office.

“Managerial and volunteer resource is being brought in to ensure the delivery of Special Delivery and Tracked items today and to continue collecting customers’ mail from post offices and businesses in the area.

“Royal Mail is fully committed to the process of trying to resolve concerns of postal workers in Burnley, by continuing to follow the national jointly agreed framework with the Communication Workers Union (CWU). We remain hopeful that the issues can be resolved locally.”

Mr Caddy was not available for comment yesterday.

[kangaroo22]

I know Stuart well and believe me he is one of the best union reps around 'he is well respected at Burnley and its no surprise the workers have come out in support for him ,I wish him his family and all the workers at Burnley a happy new year and hope it all works out well for a great union man who has helped so many.

[bustedflush]

Well done lads for forfeiting a days pay for the rep and your colleague. No doubt another over zealous attempt by managers to rid themselves of the 'troublesome' rep.......

[wheresourmoney]

Respect to all you burnley lads and lasses for sticking together, i would love to see a scheme set up where we would all put in an affordable amount each week to help these people out who make these sacrifices .

[silly suffolk]

well done burnley. like to think I would get similar support. some how I dought it.

[Red Robbo]

What was Stuart dismissed for ?

[Lincox]

It is only by voting NO to the forthcoming pay and industrial relations ballot that we will preserve the right to protect colleagues, representatives, and insist on the executive of the CWU to go back to the drawing board and make an agreement that satisfies the objectives laid down in the initial consultation and is in line with the principal that there will not be an agreement until everything has been agreed.

[chooch]

It is only by voting NO to the forthcoming pay and industrial relations ballot that we will preserve the right to protect colleagues, representatives, and insist on the executive of the CWU to go back to the drawing board and make an agreement that satisfies the objectives laid down in the initial consultation and is in line with the principal that there will not be an agreement until everything has been agreed.

[chrisj]

What was Stuart dismissed for ?

Who knows - actually some will know... However, I do not like the so-called connection between this employee and general outside politics: an ex-councillor and all that...

An employee first then trade unionist and political spider afterwards but the mixture can cause problems as one that was recently publicised...

We shall all find out soon enough but this has very little to do with the New Agreement... We are not likely going to go on a national Strike because of one individual - can we? Grangemouth anyone?

[Lincox]

ChrisJ
You are right it has no direct corrollation to this individual. However we all know how local managers misinterpret any agreement that has ever been negotiated, and you can bet your life that they will utilise the latest debacle with it,s 'No Strike or we will throw our toys out of the pram' section, to harass, bully and get rid of anyone that dares to speak out. That is why this agreement must be tossed back to the CWU negotiators until they can come up with an agreement that satisfies all of the principles that we were prepared to strike for back in November/December, and to which the CWU PEC supported and then renaiged on.

[aiden01]

It is only by voting NO to the forthcoming pay and industrial relations ballot that we will preserve the right to protect colleagues, representatives, and insist on the executive of the CWU to go back to the drawing board and make an agreement that satisfies the objectives laid down in the initial consultation and is in line with the principal that there will not be an agreement until everything has been agreed.

was deliverys ever mentioned in consultation ballot. just asking btw.

[fishtank]

We shall all find out soon enough but this has very little to do with the New Agreement...

The new agreement requires trust by the bucket load and a new "industrial stability" agenda.
This is an early test of just what Royal Mail thinks of an "embedded union",The signs are not promising.

This is not just a local issue. It is unlikely a local manager would dismiss a union rep off his/her own back without higher approval because they will be aware that there is a national process for dealing with reps which means their decision will be under scrutiny at the highest level.

I suspect someone gave the go ahead for this move which could mean a few different things which it's probably best not to speculate on here.

[fishtank]

was deliverys ever mentioned in consultation ballot. just asking btw.

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[Red Robbo]

Has anyone heard of Abdul Musa ?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Has anyone heard of Abdul Musa ?

That was Blackburn not Burnley and even if in same Area do we know if he was the in office, or if was involved in the case.

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... Abdul+Musa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That particular case was an appalling indictment on the Union and I hope he wasn't. In fact its best to assume he has no connection though as to publicly claim he has could lead to potential legal implications.