Silent protest against Dave Mitchell's dismissal Cupar

[POSTMAN]

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A silent protest is to be held outside Royal Mail’s sorting office in Cupar on Thursday by supporters of postie Dave Mitchell, who is campaigning to be reinstated.

The 57-year-old, who worked for Royal Mail for 27 years, was dismissed last December after the postal service alleged he was responsible for mail going missing on his round of rural Ceres, Cults, Chance Inn and Craigrothie.

The internal process continued with an appeal in January but this upheld the dismissal and Dave took the matter to an Employment Tribunal.


This found there was insufficient grounds to believe he was guilty and Royal Mail was told to reinstate him but hasn’t done so. A reconsideration of judgement hearing will take place next month between solicitors acting for both parties.

In the meantime Dave, his family and local community have protested about the decision and last Thursday a meeting of the CWU communications union in Cupar showed the majority of Dave’s colleagues want him back.

CWU Scotland branch secretary Kenny Logan said there is overwhelming support for Dave and action may be taken if he is not reinstated. However, that will depend on the outcome of next month’s hearing.

He said: “The Tribunal found that Dave should be reinstated but for whatever reason, Royal Mail hasn’t done so. There was an excellent turn out in Cupar and Dave has the support of colleagues who want to see him back. They want to take action which could involve an official walkout but we need to see what happens with the hearing.”

Dave has already had support from North East Fife MSP Roderick Campbell and this week the area’s MP, Stephen Gethins, also called for him to be reinstated if Royal Mail fails at the next stage of the process.


He said: “Mr Mitchell has battled for a year and a half to win his claim for unfair dismissal. Despite an order for reinstatement being made by the judge it would seem that the Royal Mail is seeking to contest this order.

“Whilst we need to await the final outcome of this hearing, I hope that should it fail, that Royal Mail would strongly consider re-employing him without further delay.”

The silent protest begins at 2pm outside the Royal Mail delivery office in Crossgate and anyone who would like to attend is welcome to do so.

Dave has also launched an online campaign at http://www.change.org,uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; which calls for a change to employment law so that a judge’s decision is final.

[daveyeff]

I know he would rather have his job back, but if a tribunal has ordered he was unfairly dismissed and royal mail have to re-instate him but they don't....isn't he entitled to compensation. other companies have been ordered to pay compen to the tune of 100 grand if they are judged to have been unfair but do not comply with the tribunal.