Villagers support sacked postman

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Villagers have launched a petition in support of a postman who has been sacked by the Royal Mail.

Derek Mellor, who has been delivering mail in Irwell Vale, Hardsough, Meadow Park and Lumb for the past four years, says he was told he had lost his job after a postbag was stolen from his van.

The Royal Mail says it cannot comment on the case, but Mr Mellor says he was given the sack for failing to secure his van.

He says he has an unblemished record of 19 years working as a postman.

Mr Mellor has appealed the decision and a Royal Mail hearing will be held on October 19 when he will be represented by the Communication Workers Union.

He says the theft took place on July 23 after a woman flagged him over to ask for directions.

Now 30 residents who live on his old delivery round have signed a petition calling for him to be re-instated.

Mr Mellor, who previously served with the Royal Armoured Corps for 12 years, worked for the Royal Mail Bury Delivery Office on Wellington Street.

He said: "I thought that considering I have had a long service with the Royal Mail and this was my first ever mistake I would get at worst a slap on the wrist.

"Instead I got suspended for four weeks and then told I was sacked. I have had 19 years without a scratch on my record and then this happens."

He added: "It’s just been a really awful last couple of weeks. My wife was absolutely in bits. I had to sign on last week which was very strange as I’ve never been out of work.

"I am completely shocked this has happened."

Since being sacked Mr Mellor, who lives in Little Lever, has been working part-time as a freelance delivery driver for a bacon supplier in Bury.

However, he says he misses the residents in Rossendale and hopes his appeal hearing will be successful.

Phil Naylor, a resident of Aitken Street, Irwell Vale, has set up a petition for people in the community to sign asking for Mr Mellor to be re-instated.

He said: "During the last four years Derek has got to know us and we have got to know Derek.

"He has made sure we always got our mail and parcels whatever the weather or extra work he has to do.

"He always has a smile and a caring word for everyone. We are a small village community and we don’t find many people as good as Derek."

The theft is being investigated internally by Royal Mail and the incident was not reported to the police.

A spokesperson for Royal Mail said: "The case is subject to an appeal and as such we do not discuss individual cases. It would be inappropriate to comment in detail at this stage."

[dazzlin72]

Why wasn't this reported to the police? Isn't that supposed to be the procedure?
Yet again the RM have made up their minds that you're guilty until proven innocent!
In a court of law i'm sure it is the other way around, but the RM like to think they are a law unto themselves!

[bones]

I know off a postie who got a 5 year keep your nose clean, after he had left his keys in the van and had it stolen.So you never know ,everybody should be given a secound chance.

[smokerjim]

I know off a postie who got a 5 year keep your nose clean, after he had left his keys in the van and had it stolen.So you never know ,everybody should be given a secound chance.

Depends on local circumstances, viz, DOM couldn't survive without a Docket Grabber, DG gets a 'XYZ year serious' or DOM needs to save hours, and can afford losing an Average Postie, AP gets 4 weeks suspension ( for the look of the thing ), swiftly followed by the tin tack

[General Mannerheim]

Stick to delivering bacon it's far better than this shite.