Sausage, chips and beans served in Northampton

[ConeHater]

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news ... arsely-api

Royal Mail worker in Northampton speaks out after being 'ostracized' for crossing strikers' picket line

A Royal Mail worker in Northampton has claimed he has been 'ostracized, ignored and belittled' after he crossed a strikers' picket line.

Andrew Kelly, 43, says he has faced backlash after he continued going into work despite many of his Royal Mail colleagues going on strike demanding a pay rise and better terms and conditions.

Royal Mail workers across the country are to stage a further 19 days of strikes in the next two months, with the majority of action taking place during the peak postal build-up to Christmas.

Andrew said: "I walked straight through it. Everyone stares at you, people saying things under their breath, not a lot of people have the gall to say it to your face.

"Up until recently I have never had any interaction with the union but since working during the strikes I have experienced being ostracized, ignored and belittled.

"A lot of people don't speak up for themselves like I do, but in general I get a lot of feedback from people saying they are worried about money and aren't interested in strikes."

Explaining why he crossed the picket line, Andrew said 'times are hard' and that Royal Mail has to 'modernise'.

He said: "It's ok for them [CWU] to say, 'don't go to work and lose your money for 19 days' but people can't afford to do that.

"Times are hard, people are struggling and there's genuinely people out there afraid to come to work.

"I've been nothing but treated fairly by Royal Mail. Things have to change, the company has to modernise. They say they are losing money, I believe they probably are."

Some of Royal Mail's hire vans were recently vandalised with the word 'scab' being graffitied on the back doors, a slang term for someone who crosses a picket line.

Andrew was highly critical of the strike action being taken. He said: "In a cost of living crisis I find it unacceptable for the union bosses to use its members as pawns in a game to protect their six figure salary jobs.

"Expecting people, who by their own definition are on the bread line, to give up their salary to wave a flag for the union seems really hypocritical."

A CWU spokesman said: “This year, over seven out of 10 British posties have voted for strike action in ballots where the ‘Yes’ vote was a few percentage points from 100%.

“The Northampton Chronicle & Echo denies those workers a voice during an historic cost-of-living crisis, reserving coverage for a tiny, tiny minority who are happy to undermine the brave action taken overwhelmingly by their colleagues.”

Editor’s note: In light of the CWU’s response, the Chronicle & Echo would like to make clear we have reported on recent Royal Mail strike action in the town by speaking to those striking. We will continue to represent both sides of the argument in the interests of balanced reporting.

[Acca Dacca]

Heres some of his other views

https://twitter.com/Porcelaincanva5/with_replies

If he is really a postman and not a stooge/troll, then its no surprise he is getting some 'feedback' if he says half the s**t he says on twitter to his colleagues

[noggin1969]

j

[priority102]

As much as I fully support the CWU and posties in their current dispute, there are a number of employees in RM who think they have a devine right to not only say, but do as they like with anybody and anything at anytime.

Anyone who makes someone's life a misery, in whatever circumstances, should be brought to book and that would include myself if I was like that, which I am not.

You simply do not know what someone's personal circumstances are outside of work, so just because they do not think and act exactly as you do, that is life.

Be in no doubt, there will be those who cannot exercise self control in this dispute and step over the line with a comment or an action that will ultimately cost them their livelihood, possibly after many years of service, and much to the absolute DELIGHT of Thompson, the board and shareholders.

In the past, most victims have kept schtum, but in 2022, most victims now speak up and are not afraid to report offenders. Also, you never know when you may be being recorded as everyone has a mobile phone, which is all the evidence an employer needs to issue a sacking.

No doubt I will be slated by a minority for this post, but it will be those who read it and reply, rather than those who will read, digest the content, think about the situation - before they reply.

[grchpo]

If / when we get a pay rise I assume he will be handing his back as obviously he doesn't agree with it

[ProudhonPJ]

At least we know 2yp's name now.

[qwerty2]

At least we know 2yp's name now.

[scoobydo79]

“Not a lot of people have the gall to say it to your face” It’s because they fear they will be sacked for it. Strike breakers and managers on the other hand seem to be able to gloat and be as brazen as they like and not have to worry.

[LaggyBand]

Amazing thread title

[CRIBMAD]

awwwww diddums my heart breaks for the SCAB ! We have sly strike breakers in our place but people still laugh and joke with them , call me old fashioned but fook that i would rather be sacked than to speak to them !

[clashcityrocker]

awwwww diddums my heart breaks for the SCAB ! We have sly strike breakers in our place but people still laugh and joke with them , call me old fashioned but fook that i would rather be sacked than to speak to them !

Then rather than come on here and call them names, why don't you call them names to their faces and fulfil your wish of being sacked?

[CRIBMAD]

“Not a lot of people have the gall to say it to your face” It’s because they fear they will be sacked for it. Strike breakers and managers on the other hand seem to be able to gloat and be as brazen as they like and not have to worry.

EXACTLY !

[CRIBMAD]

awwwww diddums my heart breaks for the SCAB ! We have sly strike breakers in our place but people still laugh and joke with them , call me old fashioned but fook that i would rather be sacked than to speak to them !

Then rather than come on here and call them names, why don't you call them names to their faces and fulfil your wish of being sacked?

NOBODY can make me speak to a scab !

[sindba]

Nobody should be subject to abuse in their workplace, full stop.

Equally, nobody who treats their colleagues like s**t -as this bloke has done- should expect friendliness and civility from their colleagues.

[chrisj]

awwwww diddums my heart breaks for the SCAB ! We have sly strike breakers in our place but people still laugh and joke with them , call me old fashioned but fook that i would rather be sacked than to speak to them !

Then rather than come on here and call them names, why don't you call them names to their faces and fulfil your wish of being sacked?

NOBODY can make me speak to a scab !

If you work in my office, you will have to speak in one capacity or the other with our strike breakers. You might not be their friends or want to socialise with them but you cannot ignore our strike breakers.

* We are in a mafia-like situation with CWU - we are bound by their collective bargaining; for good or bad! So no one will be handing back the pay rise; that is of we get one... But will the Union provide a hardship fund for those struggling or what will the Union do if things turn really sour and jobs and security and pensions are hit?

I honestly do not think the Union has been as influential as they were prior to privatisation or back 15 or more years ago...