Posties balloted over strike action in support of sacked Cupar colleague Dave Mitchell

[POSTMAN]

http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-h ... -1-3973099" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Postal deliveries could be badly hit in Cupar during Christmas week if Royal Mail workers vote for industrial action today (Friday).

Employees at the town’s sorting office in Crossgate have been balloted by their union in support of sacked postman Dave Mitchell, who Royal Mail is refusing to reinstate despite being ordered to do so by a tribunal judge.

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Mr Mitchell (57) was fired last December after being accused of stealing mail on his rounds in Ceres, Craigrothie and his home village of Chance Inn.


But at an employment tribunal in August judge Ian McFatridge found there was ‘no basis’ for the allegation and told Royal Mail to give him his job back.

They refused and at a second hearing last month said they would not reinstate him ‘under any circumstances’.

Now members of the Communication Workers’ Union in Cupar could walk out over the issue.

CWU branch secretary Kenny Logan told the Fife Herald that ballot papers were sent out last Thursday and the result is expected later today.

[fishtank]

This case has implications for all of us and deserves the full support of the union and it's members, there isn't much point in going to an industrial tribunal if the employer is allowed to ignore its findings without sanction.

Time to get off our knees, If this is not resolved we have to extend this action through the area and beyond as quickly as possible.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

it was a staggering 97.6% in favour of strike action.

[Justiceseeker]

Even though the Cupar locals face disruption to their Christmas mail they support the posties for doing what they are for Dave. Many have already planned around it looking into other methods of delivery and ways of working around it.

The posties are the heroes, and the CWU reps who have been working away in the background deserve big praise for what they have done too - a great thing! They now know Dave, though some didn't before, and they are all completely in agreement about what a good and honest person he is.

Every delivery office should know about this case, how many more are there?

It is inspiring to witness everyone standing together, for one individual, and making a statement.

Keep up the good work and spreading the word guys.

[Surreypostie]

This company now thrives and runs on fear. The fact that someone can be sacked on what looks like a stitch up and then they refuse to comply with a court order is disgusting. RM though loves these kind of managers and this style of management. Good managers are scarce and not tolerated for long. This should go national.

[trythat]

This case has implications for all of us and deserves the full support of the union and it's members, there isn't much point in going to an industrial tribunal if the employer is allowed to ignore its findings without sanction.

Time to get off our knees, If this is not resolved we have to extend this action through the area and beyond as quickly as possible.

Totally agree, if RM get away with this - then all members need to be worried about the future.

[slinder123]

dave ward you said for the last couple of weeks we union members need to bond here is a chance to bond call a national strike to get this guys job back

[NWpostie]

This case has implications for all of us and deserves the full support of the union and it's members, there isn't much point in going to an industrial tribunal if the employer is allowed to ignore its findings without sanction.

Time to get off our knees, If this is not resolved we have to extend this action through the area and beyond as quickly as possible.

Totally agree, if RM get away with this - then all members need to be worried about the future.

Perhaps by going national this would make the company sit up and take notice.

[DB1100]

This case has implications for all of us and deserves the full support of the union and it's members, there isn't much point in going to an industrial tribunal if the employer is allowed to ignore its findings without sanction.

Time to get off our knees, If this is not resolved we have to extend this action through the area and beyond as quickly as possible.

Totally agree, if RM get away with this - then all members need to be worried about the future.

I also agree 100%,it could have been anyone of us and it might be in the future if they get away with this.

[aiden01]

dave ward you said for the last couple of weeks we union members need to bond here is a chance to bond call a national strike to get this guys job back

thouhgt union had an agreement with royal mail that they would not ballot for strike action. . btw fully support whatever the action cupar st office takes.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

dave ward you said for the last couple of weeks we union members need to bond here is a chance to bond call a national strike to get this guys job back

thouhgt union had an agreement with royal mail that they would not ballot for strike action. . btw fully support whatever the action cupar st office takes.

To be technical there isn't a National "no strike" agreement, there is however a clause that states what could happen if there is a National Industrial Dispute: http://www.cwu.org/assets/_files/docume ... Stabil.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

7 Exceptional Circumstances
7.1 The Employer shall be entitled to notify the CWU at any time that any or all of the
Protections will no longer continue, if any of the following exceptional circumstances
apply:

e) if there is national-scale industrial action (in the form of a strike or action
short of a strike) which has been authorised at national level by the CWU,
namely industrial action which either (i) involves employees in the majority
of operational workplaces across Royal Mail Group Limited; or (ii) involves
employees in an integral part of the operation whereby taking action will
have, or is reasonably likely to have, a similarly disruptive effect.

NB: The same clause, under a different paragraph is also present in the Legal Contract

[daveyeff]

so will then the union back this bloke nationally or not......I know I will. as F/T says it has implications for all of us.

[barbario]

dave ward you said for the last couple of weeks we union members need to bond here is a chance to bond call a national strike to get this guys job back

Well said.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

It's official. 24 hour walkout on Saturday 19th Dec at 8.30am.

[Spedley]

it was a staggering 97.6% in favour of strike action.

Does that mean everyone voted in favour expect the theif?