Roof protest disrupts the post (VIDEO)

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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THOUSANDS of families face more mail disruption after a postal worker staged a protest on a delivery office roof.

Royal Mail said post across the ST6 postcode area – which includes Burslem, Longport and Tunstall – would be delayed after a protest at its Burslem depot.

Postal worker Paul Dawson caused a furore by climbing up to the roof of the office for almost seven hours and demanding an apology from Royal Mail managers over a suspension in 2007.

The 39-year-old – who unveiled a banner reading 'One year on, still no apology' – was one of 12 workers suspended in September 2007 amid allegations of bullying, leading to weeks and weeks of strike action in the ST6 area.

Seven, including Mr Dawson, were subsequently reinstated.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "An incident occurred this morning in which an employee gained access to the roof area and as a consequence deliveries have been delayed.

"We apologise to customers in ST6 1-8 area for the disruption."

The company declined to reveal further details about the delays.

The ST6 postcode area includes Ball Green, Bradeley, Brown Edge, Burslem, Chell, Chell Heath, Cobridge, Fegg Hayes, Goldenhill, High Lane, Longport, Middleport, Norton, Sandyford, Smallthorne, Stanfields and Tunstall.

The problems were caused when Mr Dawson used ladders to scale the Scotia Road depot from 4am this morning, but had returned by 11am.

He said he was angry about not receiving an apology from Royal Mail after no punishment was dished out as a result of bullying claims.

He handed out official Royal Mail documentation which he said proved he was entitled to an apology.

He said: "At the bottom, it says that if we were exonerated from the investigation we would be reinstated with an apology. I have been back in work for a year and I have put grievances in writing but have not had any replies."

Mr Dawson, who is from Ball Green, said he had to take seven months off after his return due to stress of the investigation.

He added: "I am only asking for what I am entitled to because people still think 'no smoke without fire'.

"But I was reinstated with nothing on my record."

Police were called to the Scotia Road sorting office at 6.30am and a spokesman confirmed he was brought down by 11am.

Malcolm Brundrett, the Communication Workers' Union's area representative for Royal Mail delivery workers, said he believed managers should say sorry.

He said: "It is only right the business would make an apology for something they got wrong."

One of the workers outside the sorting office added: "Paul has tried to do it through the grievance procedure and Royal Mail has just ignored him."

[POSTMAN]

Postman in roof protest wins apology

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A ROYAL Mail worker has returned to work following a roof protest after receiving an apology from the firm.

Paul Dawson caused a furore by spending more than six hours on top of the Burslem depot yesterday demanding an apology after being suspended along with 11 colleagues over bullying claims in 2007.

The 39-year-old, of Ball Green, could not be contacted yesterday, but Communication Workers' Union (CWU) officials said he was looking forward to getting back to work after receiving a written apology.

They said an agreement has been struck with managers that no punishment will be imposed as a result of his actions.

CWU Midlands regional secretary Lee Barron said: "He came down after about six hours upon receipt of a written apology on behalf of the area general manager.
Click here!

"The lad has been waiting a year for that. He was suspended for six months and was completely exonerated, and this should have come a lot sooner.

"He had all the stress and worry for six months and went back, and they didn't have the good grace to give him the apology he deserves."

Mr Barron added: "We are continuing to seek justice for the others who were suspended by the company.

"We will not stop until we get justice for all of them."

Mr Dawson was among 12 workers from the depot who were suspended over allegations of bullying in September 2007, sparking weeks of strike action.

Seven, including Mr Dawson, were subsequently reinstated.

Five employees have since been sacked and CWU members have organised protests in Stoke and Kidsgrove in recent weeks as they seek to have them reinstated.

Yesterday's demonstration at the Scotia Road depot – 12 months on from when Mr Dawson was reinstated – started shortly after 4am and ended at about 11am.

Police were called to the scene.

The ST6 area, which suffered disruption to deliveries, includes Ball Green, Bradeley, Brown Edge, Burslem, Chell, Chell Heath, Cobridge, Fegg Hayes, Goldenhill, High Lane, Longport, Middleport, Norton, Sandyford, Smallthorne, Stanfields and Tunstall.

But a Royal Mail spokesman said services were now back on track.

However, she was unable to discuss Mr Dawson, as there is a policy not to speak about individual employees.

She said: "He is down from the roof as a result of discussions that we have had. There was slight disruption to services, but are making deliveries in the area.

CWU area representative Malcolm Brundrett said: "Paul just wants to get on with his job now. It is sad that people have to go through these desperate measures to get an apology but this seems to be the only way to get through to Royal Mail."

[resperin]

usually you'd get in trouble from the police/sacked for protesting like that :O

[DGP1]

usually you'd get in trouble from the police/sacked for protesting like that :O

The police would've told RM to give him an apology to get him down but knowing RM they probably tried to force the police to bring him down by force.

[andy2007]

usually you'd get in trouble from the police/sacked for protesting like that :O

Why?
It was a peaceful protest, he wasn't trespassing, and Royal Mail had been harrasing him for 17 Months. How could they possibly justify any disciplinary action?
As no laws were broken, the Police weren't interested in taking any action.

[k979aaa]

usually you'd get in trouble from the police/sacked for protesting like that :O

WELL HE HAS MY SUPPORT AS HE HAS BALLS OF CASTIRON TOO GET UP THEIR AND STAY BECAUSE OF THE INJUSTICE OF THE BURSLAM FOLK IN THEIR DISPUTE WITH THE CORRUPT AN AROGANT MANAGEMENT!.

[andy2007]

usually you'd get in trouble from the police/sacked for protesting like that :O

WELL HE HAS MY SUPPORT AS HE HAS BALLS OF CASTIRON TOO GET UP THEIR AND STAY BECAUSE OF THE INJUSTICE OF THE BURSLAM FOLK IN THEIR DISPUTE WITH THE CORRUPT AN AROGANT MANAGEMENT!.

Yes. He's set a wonderful example: He mounted a totally peaceful protest, and stood his ground. He didn't start shouting abuse, or being agressive. He just sat there, and quietly made his point.

And just think: This is a guy, that RM wanted everyone to believe was a bully! How many bullies have any of you met, who have the guts, and self control, to do what he did?
I've never met ANY, who would have been capable of that.