Postman's plea to David Cameron

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/20 ... id_cameron" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A postman who will be forced to retire this week has made a passionate plea to the prime minister to step in and save his job at the final hour.

Richard Owen, who has worked for Royal Mail on the round in Farley Hill for 27 years, was told he would have to step down when he reaches the retirement age of 65 despite not wanting to leave his job.

And as the 64-year-old gets ready to hang up his post bag for good on Friday he made a last-ditch attempt to keep his job by asking David Cameron to help.

He said: “I have been told by Royal Mail that the only way I shall keep my job is if the prime minister orders the chief executive to keep me on.

“To be honest I am totally gutted. The correspondence I have had [with Royal Mail] has gone on and on for about three months and now they have told me not to bother them any more.”

Mr Owen wrote to Wokingham MP John Redwood to ask for his help and more than 100 residents in Farley Hill contacted Royal Mail in an attempt to keep their popular postie.

But the company has stood firm on its policy and Mr Owen will be retiring on Friday although he does not know what he will do with his days because his wife Angela passed away earlier this year.

He said: “I have been doing the job for 27 years and have the support of the round,

“They are not just customers, some of them are friends. I have seen them grow up.

“It’s heartbreaking. If it was just about Royal Mail I would go but the customers are friends.

“With the loss of Angela it’s an outlet for me rather than coming home to an empty house.”

Mr Owen said he was physically able to do the job and said he would only be looking to work for a while longer until 2012 or 2013.

He said: “It would definitely just be a year-and-a-half or possibly two-and-a-half.

“I want to finish off this year and get next year out the way. I have got no problem with my health.

“I know and my customers know that I'm the best for the job.

“Friday will be my last day. The only way I can save my job is going to be if David Cameron writes to my boss and says ‘I am telling you to keep Richard on’. If you reach 65 years of age Royal Mail turn around and say you are not reaching their criteria and I'm no longer necessary.

“That does hurt a little bit.”

Mr Owen has also just missed out on a change in the law which will mean companies cannot dismiss employees when they reach retirement age as of October this year.

A Royal Mail spokesman said the company could not comment on individual cases but said its retirement policy is not a reflection on an individual’s performance or ability to do the job.

The spokesman said: “In line with imminent legislation changes, Royal Mail will be removing the normal retirement age of 65 with effect from 1st October 2011.

“However, in the meantime we are continuing to follow our current approach with all those employees due to turn 65 before 1st October 2011.

“It is open to any of our people to request to continue working after the age of 65 however this is only granted if the role requires a specialist skill or the vacancy could not be filled in any other way.”

[Straight4ward]

Would I be right in thinking that his office hasn't yet gone through the delivery methods revision?

[Lounge Lizard]

The only way I can save my job is going to be if David Cameron writes to my boss and says ‘I am telling you to keep Richard on’ as if Mr Cameron hasn't got more important things to do.
And his job is being saved, just transferred to someone of normal working age to reduce the unemployment total to 2,499,999 while Mr owen decides how best to spend his hard earned pension

[steven100]

They can't force him to retire, wasn't the law changed last year. You can work til you drop down dead.

[brothermagrew]

They can't force him to retire, wasn't the law changed last year. You can work til you drop down dead.

Bro
The spokesman said: “In line with imminent legislation changes, Royal Mail will be removing the normal retirement age of 65 with effect from 1st October 2011.

Doesn't that tell you something.

[steven100]

They can't force him to retire, wasn't the law changed last year. You can work til you drop down dead.

Bro
The spokesman said: “In line with imminent legislation changes, Royal Mail will be removing the normal retirement age of 65 with effect from 1st October 2011.

Doesn't that tell you something.

lol, , never read the whole article. Most companies probably glad to keep their staff but RM are exception. Just shows how much RM are pushing for part-time workforce.

[Darren Bent]

I wouldn't want to do this job at 55 let alone 65. especially as full time reserve.

He had earn his money and got long employment, let someone else have a go as if all people don't retire there will be even bigger unemployed for young people. We work to live not live to work.