Mail staff accused of bullying colleague who agreed overtime

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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FOUR postal workers who sparked a series of Royal Mail strikes were sacked for bullying one of their own union members because she agreed to work overtime, a tribunal heard.

Paul Malyon, Dave Scaratt, Dave Evans and Mick Gardner lost their jobs at Royal Mail's Burslem sorting office after targeting part-time colleague Anne Worthington and other workers, the hearing was told.

The Birmingham tribunal heard that Mrs Worthington wanted to work overtime, despite the union imposing an unofficial overtime ban because of ongoing disputes with managers.

Mrs Worthington later made an official complaint in August 2007 after claiming she was bullied and harassed by union officials at the Scotia Road depot. But the Communication Workers' Union claimed Mrs Worthington had only made the complaint because she wanted a full-time job.


Royal Mail appeal group manager Adrian Buckley told the tribunal: "Mrs Worthington was given the silent treatment, frowned upon, watched all the time and it was making it an unpleasant place to work.

"Union meetings in the canteen behind closed doors were stage managed to discourage her and others from undertaking overtime.

"The union said she was especially favoured by the management.

"They said she was stressed due to issues concerning her daughter rather than work matters.

"I felt that Anne Worthington was credible and candid with us."

The tribunal also heard that manager John McCann, who used to work at Stoke's Leek Road depot, had been brought to Burslem in April 2007. He had been subject to a petition by workers in Stoke in July 2006.

Nina Unthank, representing the union, said: "There was a suggestion in Stoke that John McCann's management style constituted bullying and harassment."

The tribunal heard there had been strikes in 2007 in February, March and August and on the last occasion Mr McCann had spoken to a female worker in a way that "constituted bullying and harassment".

Ms Unthank said a number of measures had been brought following the strikes, including a ban on overtime until the mail backlog was cleared.

Asked why the police were called when the workers were suspended, Mr Buckley replied: "They came out like a chain gang where they all had their hands on each other's shoulders."

The four workers have taken Royal Mail to an employment tribunal to try to get their jobs back.

They were part of the so-called Burslem 12 who were suspended in September 2007 over allegations of harassment and bullying.

Six of the group later had their suspensions dropped and were allowed back to work, while a seventh man resigned.

Now four of the five who permanently lost their jobs are claiming unfair dismissal during the three-week hearing.

The tribunal continues.

[maisymoo04]

o ye our these those 4 dicks who were always in the cwu paper sayin fight for us good made up yuz got F*** off

[TrueBlueTerrier]

o ye our these those 4 dicks who were always in the cwu paper sayin fight for us good made up yuz got F*** off

What - can we have a translation please

[Stormproof]

o ye our these those 4 dicks who were always in the cwu paper sayin fight for us good made up yuz got F*** off

What - can we have a translation please

I've been trying to work it out aswell

[maisymoo04]

hahah sorry chaps wrong gettin mixed up with something else. whent out last nite ha