Torquay postal workers to ballot for strike

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Torquay postal workers to ballot for strike after colleague's dismissal

http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/T ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TORQUAY posties are considering strike action after a fellow worker was dismissed just after Christmas.

A ballot of more than 100 members of the Communication Workers Union is to take place next Monday.

They argue that the dismissal was ‘disproportionate’.

Luke Mason, CWU branch secretary said: “ We have already had a meeting about this and I have to say that I have never seen such a show of solidarity.”

The postie, who had worked for Royal Mail for more than 10 years, was dismissed after an incident at the delivery yard in Broomhill Way, Torquay on November 12.

The CWU say that the member of staff who had finished their duties had parked in the yard of the Delivery Office and applied the hand brake.

The handbrake subsequently failed long after the vehicle was laid to rest, and the vehicle rolled into a bike shelter causing minor damage to the headlight of the van.

Mr Mason said: “Staff are understandably furious at the actions of Royal Mail management and demand their colleague’s reinstatement.

“The member of staff’s conduct record was 100 per cent clean. “Nonetheless, they were charged with failing to hear a safety brief, and therefore not leaving the vehicle in gear and were summarily dismissed.

“We were all shocked by this reaction from Royal Mail which seems disproportionate. Therefore, the members have decided to ballot for strike action unless this member of staff is reinstated.”

If agreed, the proposed action will affect all of the TQ1 and TQ2 post codes.

A decision will be made by the beginning of February.

In a statement the Royal Mail said it was "disappointed that members of the Communications Workers Union are undertaking a ballot for industrial action at Torquay.

"We will continue to follow the national framework for dispute resolution, jointly agreed with the CWU, in order to find a resolution."