Postal woman who tried to foil thieves faces sack

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011 ... aces-sack/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A postwoman clung to the bonnet of her work van for nearly a mile as it was driven off by a thief — only to be suspended by Royal Mail for leaving her keys in the ignition.

Residents of villages near Wolverhampton where Julie Roberts did her rounds are now demanding her reinstatement, saying the post worker “risked her life for the job”.

The 51-year-old, who is 5ft 1in and suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, clung to the van’s windscreen wipers as it was driven off in School Road, Trysull.

It was abandoned minutes later at the Coach House, on Seisdon Road, and post was stolen from the passenger seat. The thief, believed to be aged in his 20s, fled in a silver Vauxhall Corsa containing the numbers 0 and 3 in the registration.

Supporters of Julie have distributed letters throughout Trysull, Seisdon and Claverley urging residents to protest to Royal Mail.

The letter states: “Julie has worked for Royal Mail for 20 years and has always provided a friendly, reliable and helpful service.

“Julie jumped onto the bonnet of the mail van before it drove off and remained in that position as it was driven three quarters of a mile at great risk to her own safety, preventing the van being stolen.”

Andrew Tildesley, owner of The Plough Inn, on School Road, said today: “Julie risked her life for her job and I think it is wrong she has been suspended.”

Rev Jeanette Hartwell, from Trysull’s All Saints Church, said: “I understand that procedures have to be followed by Royal Mail, but I sense from a lot of people in the village that they want her to be re-instated.”

Julie, of Bull Lane in Wombourne, declined to comment but a family friend said today she was “absolutely devastated” at her suspension, adding: “She has given 20 years of dedicated service and has been doing that round for 10 years. She has basically been told she will lose her job.”

Royal Mail is investigating the theft, which happened at around 10am on April 13.

Any witnesses to the theft should call 0300 123 4455.

Read more: http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011 ... z1KACAJLEb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DGP1]

What else can be said that we haven't said before, still many in my office do the same believing it will never happen to them.

[stokes11eg]

What else can be said that we haven't said before, still many in my office do the same believing it will never happen to them.

Yes, but still very sad, they forget that sometimes, being human, we can have a small lapse now and again,! Hope they re-instate her.

[Post Off]

stokes11eg is absolutely right, in that we sometimes do the things we do because we are only human.

Overreacting is a human trait. We have all been guilty of it in one way or another. But to knowingingly dismiss someone like this is despicable beyond belief!

[Pat Ostman]

They will win (RM) if it goes to tribunal. They are only interested in facts.

She left the keys in the ignition. End of. (And no, I do not agree with it, we are all human. Well, most of us).

Where she went wrong was telling the truth.

[stokes11eg]

stokes11eg is absolutely right, in that we sometimes do the things we do because we are only human.

Overreacting is a human trait. We have all been guilty of it in one way or another. But to knowingingly dismiss someone like this is despicable beyond belief!

Yes, people forget if you have to work out flat day after day, mistakes do get made, even amongst the most careful of us! hopefully the reaction of her customers will have them behave a little bit more humanely!

[DGP1]

stokes11eg is absolutely right, in that we sometimes do the things we do because we are only human.

Overreacting is a human trait. We have all been guilty of it in one way or another. But to knowingingly dismiss someone like this is despicable beyond belief!

Yes, people forget if you have to work out flat day after day, mistakes do get made, even amongst the most careful of us! hopefully the reaction of her customers will have them behave a little bit more humanely!

But we all know that RM don't care, leave the keys in and lose your job, that's just what we have to put up with these days. Everyone needs to remember that RM don't care about you and that you need to do the job the way they insist, even if it means cutting off/leaving behind/booking OT.

[brothermagrew]

And as brother DGP1 righfully intimates the stark truth is leave the keys in the van at your own peril. Nowadays a guaranteed one way ticket to instant dismissal.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Particularly galling when you can get a key chain for less than a £5

[DGP1]

Particularly galling when you can get a key chain for less than a £5

Good idea Teebs, cheap and effective but RM would never go for it.

[wearewolves]

driver at our mc
i and many would not like to see the women face the boot.

[brothermagrew]

The plain fact of the matter is that none of us in the CWU would wish to see her loose her job and livelihood. But being a driver she will almost certainly have had her twice yearly drivers licence check and along with that also comes the reading and signing of the Integrity of the Mail form which employees who drive are required to fully read that they have understood the contents and then attach their signature as having read and understood what is required to keep the mail secure in all circumstances. I would suspect that it will be this form RM will use to hang her out to dry.

Addendum:
In part SECURITY RULES FOR DRIVERS
Under the Universal Service Provider (U.S.P.) Licence, Royal Mail has a specific commitment to protect Mail throughout its operational pipeline.

Our Licence Conditions actually require that Royal Mail to be able to demonstrate that it is: "minimising the exposure of mail to the risk of loss, theft, damage and/or interference" (para.1.1)

In order to meet certain aspects of the security accountabilty placed on the Licensee, the Licence Conditions also says that Licensees must establish, maintain and adhere to such other policies and procedures as may reasonably be necessary to facilitate achievement of the Mail Integrity Objectives in particular, in relation to the security of relevant premises, and the use of vehicles and equipment in the collection, conveyance or delivery of Code Postal Packets." (para.6.1)

Therefore Royal Mail has provided guidelines for all of its employees involved in driving duties relating to movement of mail, these guidelines are known as the "Security Rules For Drivers" as contained in Appendix 1 of the Drivers Manual. Adherence to these guidelines will ensure that Royal Mail is compliant to its licence obligations.


Drivers are required to read and sign these rules on a six monthly basis in order to demonstrate that they are aware of, understand, and will adhere to these rules in all practical circumstances.

Royal Mail Managers responsible for vehicles are required to carry out Driver Licence checks for all Drivers under their control, and will conduct the "Security Rules For Drivers" re-sign at the same time.

[tvpunter]

IF i ever become a manager..with my sick record... i'll have to kiss more ass..then i would hope commen sence ,decency will, prevail!!!!...but maybie thats why i'll never become a manager.sic

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Another story on this subject reports that she had finished a delivery, realised she had dropped her pen and got out of the van to pick it up. When she looked back the thief was in the driving seat and the rest of the story unfolded as above.

Which brings up 2 questions - how far away was the pen, and was the van out of site at the time - if not, then is there a defence of following RM instructions

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011 ... -the-sack/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Julie, of Bull Lane, Wombourne, today declined to comment but her friend said she had left the keys in the ignition of the van for a matter of seconds.

“She had done a delivery and when she got back in the van, she realised she had dropped her pen,” said the friend.

“She got out to pick it up — it was literally a few metres away. When she turned around she saw a man in the driving seat.”

[brothermagrew]

Appendix 1: security rules for drivers

Deliveries

Paragraph H - Lock your door immediately when you get out, also set alarms where fitted.