Posties threaten another walkout:Northampton MC

[Stormproof]

http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/ ... _1_1613131" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Posties threaten another walkout



Published on Fri Nov 12 08:07:05 GMT 2010

POSTAL union bosses have threatened strike action at a Northampton sorting office after two workers were sacked with help from information held on a ‘secret’ database.

The Chron reported last month that the Communication Workers Union (CWU) was objecting to a computer system which logs minor breaches of work rules by Royal Mail sorting staff at Swan Valley, such as using mobile phones.

Officials were concerned a dossier of supposed wrongdoing can be built up without staff members having the chance to challenge it.

Two sorting staff, believed to have worked for the Royal Mail for more than eight years, have now been sacked with the ‘secret’ data used as additional evidence. The regional office of the CWU said it will ballot for strike action if the files are not deleted.

Lee Barron (pictured), Midlands regional secretary of the CWU, said: “Holding secret files, or ‘employee databases’ as they are calling it, is against every procedure we have and we also believe it contravenes the Data Protection Act.

“The database has already been used to sack two members of staff who were not aware the files existed or aware of any of the information being kept on them.

“There is no control over what is logged in to the system, no right for anybody to challenge it and any manager can view and edit any of the information within it. That is totally unacceptable.

“I will make it crystal clear to Royal Mail that it either deletes this database or strike action will not simply be a possibility, it will be an inevitability.”

The South Midlands Mail Centre is the largest in the UK and services Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Buckinghamshire. The CWU said any industrial action would cause widespread disruption.

Royal Mail refused to add any further comment to a statement released last month which defended the use of a secure database to “record minor breaches of health and safety guidelines and standards which have resulted in employees requiring counselling or coaching to ensure safe standards of work.”

[stokes11eg]

And what about the the major health and safety breeches R/M inflict on us? Scandelous.

[plainpat]

One of the main rights which the Data Protection Act gives to individuals is the right of access to their personal information. An individual can send you a subject access request requiring you to tell them about the personal information you hold about them, and to provide them with a copy of that information. In most cases you must respond to a valid subject access request within 40 calendar days of receiving it.




http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations ... uests.aspx

[mark_e]

I know both members of staff after working at NN over the last 5 years and i really hope justice is done in this case and they both get their jobs back

outrageous

[barbario]

This is a worry. If Royal Mail get away with this trick,you can expect it to be rolled out across the country.

[Stormproof]

This is a worry. If Royal Mail get away with this trick,you can expect it to be rolled out across the country.

If it is'nt already

[fishtank]

This is a worry. If Royal Mail get away with this trick,you can expect it to be rolled out across the country.

It's easy to stop...you just have to swamp them with requests.
It wouldn't take long for a change in policy.
Sometimes the system can be used....against the system.
It will cost you about a tenner but well worth it if you ask me.

(Insert own address)
(Insert date)

(Insert organisation address)

To the company secretary (if contact unknown),

Re: (insert name and current address)

I am writing to make a subject access request under the Data Protection Act 1998 for any personal information you hold about me (or include specific details about the information you require here).

(Insert any information you think the organisation will need to find your information and to confirm your identity. For example, your employer may need your payroll number, and a hospital may need your NHS number; other organisations may require a document bearing your signature for example your passport or your driving licence).

Please inform me, prior to processing this request, if you require a fee to be paid.

I will look forward to receiving this information within 40 days. If you have any queries or questions then please contact me on (insert phone number/email address).


Yours faithfully,


(Insert own name)