RM staff defy strike laws to support disabled colleague

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Royal Mail staff defy strike laws to support disabled colleague

http://www.hrgrapevine.com/markets/hr/a ... -colleague" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

Royal Mail employees have staged a wildcat strike (one which has not been called or sanctioned by union officials) over the treatment of a disabled co-worker.

Workers in Bridgewater came to a collective decision yesterday to disobey the rules regarding industrial action after their local representative of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), Dave Chapple, said the company had been making it difficult for Andrew Mootoo, who has multiple sclerosis, to return to work.

Their actions, which come months after passed the second reading of ‘the biggest crackdown on trade union rights in 30 years,’ highlight the struggles disabled workers still face.

Speaking to Politics.co.uk, Chapple said: "When Andrew was first diagnosed 18 months ago, they tried to pay him off but had to back down after we [the CWU] pointed out it was illegal. Since then they've come up with every excuse you can think of to stall his return to work.

"What made this remarkable is that so many people walked out in solidarity with somebody they haven't even seen for 18 months. I've also received around 200 emails of support from fellow trade unionists and disabled people."

The strikers returned to work yesterday, after Royal Mail apparently gave assurances that they would sit down with Mootoo and reach a resolution.

A Royal Mail spokesperson confirmed staff had returned to work and apologised for any disruption in services.