Cupar residents rally round to support sacked postie David

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Cupar residents rally round to support sacked postie David Mitchell

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http://www.thecourier.co.uk/polopoly_fs/1.905343.1444985073!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_620/image.jpgA sacked postman has hailed the support of his local community in his fight to get back to work.

Dozens of people held a silent protest outside Royal Mail’s delivery office in Cupar in support of David Mitchell, 57, who was dismissed after being accused of stealing mail on his rounds.

However, having won an employment tribunal against his employers’ decision last month, there remains anger in the community that Mr Mitchell is yet to be reinstated, with Royal Mail seeking a reconsideration of the verdict.

Overwhelmed by the support he has received, Mr Mitchell said: “Folk are just walking up to me and shaking my hand and wishing me luck.

“They’re all following my story in the paper and it’s terrific.

”I just want to go back to work and what I am used to doing.

“I’ve got 10 years left of work and I want to do that at the Royal Mail.”

Mr Mitchell, of Chance Inn, was unfairly dismissed by Royal Mail which alleged he stole greetings cards containing money and gift vouchers.

None of the missing items were found on Mr Mitchell or in his van, car or home and judge Ian McFatridge found there were insufficient grounds for Royal Mail to sustain its belief in his guilt.

The delivery firm has since requested a reconsideration hearing of his reinstatement.

Colleagues, friends and customers of Mr Mitchell are all said to have been angered by the Royal Mail’s failure to reinstate him.

A meeting was held last week by members of the communications union CWU in support of the 57-year-old, who won his employment tribunal following his dismissal from Cupar delivery office.

However, branch secretary Kenny Logan insisted that there would be no walkout, work-to-rule or any other form of unofficial industrial action.

Customers on Mr Mitchell’s route of 17 years in Ceres, Craigrothie, Cults and Chance Inn have written to Royal Mail demanding his return to his post and more than 800 people have signed his online petition demanding the judges’ finding be final in UK employment law.

Asked what the support from the public meant to him, Mr Mitchell added: “It’s what has kept me going from the start.

“My customers have never doubted me. They want me back and that means a lot.

“It’s been hell but the support I have had has been amazing.”

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Silent protest staged in support of postie Dave

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A silent protest was held outside Royal Mail’s sorting office in Cupar yesterday (Thursday) morning 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 were 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 is due next month.

In the meantime Dave, his family and local community have protested about the decision and last Thursday a meeting of the CWU 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 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.”

This week, North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins also voiced his support.

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 the Royal Mail is seeking to contest this order.

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