Royal Mail staff in Ramadan holiday row

[clashcityrocker]

I thought trade unionists were supposed to be tolerant, inclusive and internationalist.
Reading some of the ignorant, racist crap in this thread is just embarrassing.
Next we'll be having some dick tell us about some EDL crap he's organising.

[beinspired]

It is possible to take any words from any book out of context. The full verse is: 'Fight in the way of God against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! God loveth not aggressors.'

Sounds a bit different now?

Of course it does beinspired...that's the whole point.
Most people get their fix of religion from soundbites nowadays...short attention span you see.
Doesn't half lead to some less than educated ramblings though.

I totally agree fishtank.

[beinspired]

I thought trade unionists were supposed to be tolerant, inclusive and internationalist.
Reading some of the ignorant, racist crap in this thread is just embarrassing.
Next we'll be having some dick tell us about some EDL crap he's organising.

Some of the comments on this thread have bewildered me. I wonder what views they have on immigration, gays etc.

[fishtank]

I thought trade unionists were supposed to be tolerant, inclusive and internationalist.
Reading some of the ignorant, racist crap in this thread is just embarrassing.
Next we'll be having some dick tell us about some EDL crap he's organising.

The whole thread is embarrassing CCR.
Some guys need a day off....and suddenly it's "but,but.....what about the cost to RM".
Like anybody gives a f**k about the cost to RM.

[Tman]

RM obviously give a f**k about the cost to RM, that's why the "guys" didn't get the day off....

[DirtyHarry]

I think that's totally unfair. From what I understand, Islam is a peaceful religion and has contributed a lot to society - of course you have your bad apples, but which faith doesn't? Have some respect at least for your fellow Islamic workers and staff of all faiths.

Listen, you want to be a mug, fair enough, by all means be a mug, but you advising an amateur historian that the historical facts surrounding Islam is just bunkum, and the fanciful, doe-eyed, naive, notion shared by the "I'd like to teach the world to sing" brigade, is the one to follow, is a bit like me advising you just how to pick up your skirts and shriek, know what I mean.

[BELIAL]

Coo there's lot's of ignorant ill informed bigots around. Let's hope they never need a bit of empathy

[DirtyHarry]

(sighs)

[axeman]

I thought trade unionists were supposed to be tolerant, inclusive and internationalist.
Reading some of the ignorant, racist crap in this thread is just embarrassing.
Next we'll be having some dick tell us about some EDL crap he's organising.

Some of the comments on this thread have bewildered me. I wonder what views they have on immigration, gays etc.

while white supremacy might seem a little outdated my guess is it still exists and in sufficent quantities hence the proliferation of political parties some who's ideologies leave cause for concern ? iv'e plenty of friends who come from many an ethical backgrounds and consider britain as there home ' English ' as the first language,. immigration is worying as the trend for cheap labour continues it affects us the employed and are you happy at the prospect of migrant labour taking your job or do you turn the other cheek like a good christian ?????
whilst the majority of asians etc.... are secular (do not mix) hence the divide in comunities which itself causes problems (riots etc..) gays ok so long as they don't try to convert me ...lol
as for the teachings of the islam the bits filtered out so you don't see the true meanings as writen by muhammad (not sure if spelling is correct ) ..death to the infidels etc.. no tolerance for any religion but islam etc... words contained in the quran

[youwot!!!!!]

A spokeswoman for Royal Mail said: "We always seek to treat every request for leave sensitively and on a case by case basis."

BOLLOX.LIKE HELL YOU DO

[clashcityrocker]

RM obviously give a f**k about the cost to RM, that's why the "guys" didn't get the day off....

Or some people are hiding their racism behind a business/economic need.

[Tman]

[

Or some people are hiding their racism behind a business/economic need.

Could be, but the old racism card has been played so often by so many that it's been devalued to the point of cliched parody.
"Wolf" has been cried too many times....

[bobbyden]

"Under British employment law there is no specific rule which states that a worker must be given time off for religious holidays or festivals"

So why do we have to bend over backwards to accomodate them, I know of someone that was refused a day off for his nieces wedding which i think is damm more important than a muslim festival

That was an extremely poor observation and you should be ashamed of yourself for saying it.

Unfortunately, the workforce at the Royal Mail is shrinking and this is the problem facing the Muslim community when it comes to acquiring leave for the Holy Month of Ramadan and the Eid festival which immediately follows the end of fasting. The operational requirements of the Royal Mail make it now virtually impossible to grant everyone leave during Ramadan and for the Eid celebration.

In fairness to the Management and the CWU, they do try to accommodate as many people as they can. Having said that, some locations in the Royal Mail portfolio fare better than others. I urge the Royal Mail and the CWU to look at improving access to leave for the Muslim workforce. It is not a question of 'bending over backwards', it is merely a case of understanding just how important Ramadan and Eid is to a Muslim, especially so in work locations which could and should do better.

Being at work and fasting over a long period of time is extremely difficult and it will get no easier over the next few years, taking into account Ramadan falls in summer months when the days are long and perhaps even hot weather alongside. Very easy for lesser mortals like myself to enjoy a cold drink but for a Muslim, no such luck. They have to grin and bear it until the sun goes down, and this they do with the utmost dignity. I have tremendous respect for Muslim people and the manner in which they uphold their faith and beliefs. The easy option is not too fast, which some do, for reasons best known to themselves, but for the many Ramadan is about making a sacrifice on behalf of those less fortunate than themselves. I consider that a real yardstick to look up to.

[bobbyden]

I thought trade unionists were supposed to be tolerant, inclusive and internationalist.
Reading some of the ignorant, racist crap in this thread is just embarrassing.
Next we'll be having some dick tell us about some EDL crap he's organising.

Some of the comments on this thread have bewildered me. I wonder what views they have on immigration, gays etc.

while white supremacy might seem a little outdated my guess is it still exists and in sufficent quantities hence the proliferation of political parties some who's ideologies leave cause for concern ? iv'e plenty of friends who come from many an ethical backgrounds and consider britain as there home ' English ' as the first language,. immigration is worying as the trend for cheap labour continues it affects us the employed and are you happy at the prospect of migrant labour taking your job or do you turn the other cheek like a good christian ?????
whilst the majority of asians etc.... are secular (do not mix) hence the divide in comunities which itself causes problems (riots etc..) gays ok so long as they don't try to convert me ...lol
as for the teachings of the islam the bits filtered out so you don't see the true meanings as writen by muhammad (not sure if spelling is correct ) ..death to the infidels etc.. no tolerance for any religion but islam etc... words contained in the quran

I see Axeman you have posted on 1,524 occasions. Let me assure you, this was not one of your better ones. Spelling was dreadful, punctuation, equally as bad, if not worse, and as for the arguments you put forward, on a par with the sort of blinkered nonsense you would expect to read in the Daily Express.
Go away, then return with a far more intelligent viewpoint, which I am sure you are capable of doing.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Secular does not mean does not mix

Secular:

1. of or relating to worldly as opposed to sacred things; temporal
2. not concerned with or related to religion
3. not within the control of the Church
4. (Social Science / Education) (of an education, etc.)
a. having no particular religious affinities
b. not including compulsory religious studies or services
5. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) (of clerics) not bound by religious vows to a monastic or other order
6. occurring or appearing once in an age or century
7. lasting for a long time

I think you meant sectarian:

1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of a sect.
2. Adhering or confined to the dogmatic limits of a sect or denomination; partisan.
3. Narrow-minded; parochial.
n.
1. A member of a sect.
2. One characterized by bigoted adherence to a factional viewpoint.


As to the majority of Asian being Sectarian in their out look - well having lived in Hong Kong for 3 years and seeing the integration there the assertion in my own experience does not ring true. However, in the UK, it may be a different matter but is that the fault of the immigrants themselves, or a reaction to the welcome they receive, and their treatment when they do settle down. Perhaps they feel safer in a community that shares their values rather than in one that attacks it.

Yes there are both bad and good in Islam, just as there are in any group you care to name, how about Posties or Trade Unionists. However, I have never come across a single group which is either all bad or all good, each individual should be treated with respect they earn themselves, no matter what labels can be applied to them. Do we have a problem with immigration in this country, IMO Yes, but its a Political or Organisational problem not a ethnicity or religious one and those that believe otherwise are IMHO deluding themselves and are helping to perpetuate the problem.