Walkout post workers scoop lotto win

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 20 Feb 2008, 14:06

http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/headline ... to_win.php

A group of 14 Oxford postal workers - who all walked out on strike last year - have been delivered a Â£55,639 Lotto win.

Members of the syndicate, who work at the Oxford mail centre in Cowley and call themselves the Breakfast Club because they start work at 5am, each scooped almost Â£4,000.

The win came after their lucky dip line matched five numbers and the bonus ball on Saturday, February 9.

Their winning numbers were 14, 26, 29, 31 and 40. The bonus ball was seven.

Before their windfall, the group had only managed to net Â£113 in almost four years of entering the draw.

The lucky 14 - 13 men and a woman who all work as Royal Mail drivers - have already planned how to spend their cash.
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Syndicate organiser Geoffrey Townsend, 59, who has worked for Royal Mail for 29 years, said: "Most of us have worked together for 20 years.

"I'm going to spend the money on a holiday with the wife to Tenerife.

"I usually check the tickets every Saturday evening, but we had gone out on this particular night.

"I make sure everyone knows which numbers we have so they can check themselves if they wish.

"It didn't take long for the message to get round all 14 members."

Their good fortune is in stark contrast to Oxford's patchy postal service, which has been rocked in recent times by late post, dumped mail and huge queues at offices.

And a combination of strikes, which ran between June and October last year, lost workers more public sympathy.

Mail centre workers walked out on July 16 last year for a week after two colleagues were suspended for alleged misconduct.

One of the suspended workers returned to work this week and the other is expected to return soon.

Communication Workers' Union representative Bob Cullen said: "They didn't win a huge amount, but I don't think the public will mind - I'm chuffed for them and it's good to see normal people winning something for a change."

In the weeks before the windfall Mr Townsend was frequently ribbed for the group's lack of return on their Â£1-a-week investment.

The winning numbers were bought from Wood Farm Post Office, in Atkyns Road.

Peter Sinclair, 53, a postal worker for 26 years, said: "I'm going to buy some new golf clubs and take my girlfriend on holiday."

Ernest Moss, 64, added: "Two weeks ago I ordered some double glazing, so this will pay for that - I'm well pleased."

johnnyp · Post by **johnnyp** » 20 Feb 2008, 15:27

Not quite enough to tell the boss where to shove his 739s but better then a kick in the gonads

Well done lads

enjoy

Post by **dvbuk55** » 20 Feb 2008, 15:31

Anybdy got their address - I'd like to get my begging letter off ASAP.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 20 Feb 2008, 15:35

johnnypick wrote:Not quite enough to tell the boss where to shove his 739s but better then a kick in the gonads Well done lads enjoy

I bet their Line Manager is going to have a little difficulty getting them to do docket for a while.

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 20 Feb 2008, 15:48

dvbuk55 wrote:Anybdy got their address - I'd like to get my begging letter off ASAP.

Try ;
Royal Mail,
Mail Centre,
Cowley,
Oxford.

Stormproof · Post by **Stormproof** » 20 Feb 2008, 17:18

Well done to them, hopefully it'll be my work syndicate next week

billyb8 · Post by **billyb8** » 21 Feb 2008, 11:11

well done to them.

Hope it causes the governors grief as they tell him where to stick his docket!

tommymac · Post by **tommymac** » 21 Feb 2008, 16:12

Great news. Well done lads.