Union warns postal strikes could spread across Scotland

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.scotsman.com/business/union- ... -1-4000444" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

The union representing postal workers in Scotland has warned strike action could spread if Royal Mail fails to reinstate a sacked colleague.

The dispute follows the company’s decision not to reinstate David Mitchell, 57, despite being ordered to do so by an employment tribunal judge.

Mr Mitchell, from Cupar in Fife, who has 27 years of service, was sacked in December 2014 after “test” items went missing. Mr Mitchell’s van, car and house was searched, but no evidence was found.

Postal workers in Cupar held a one-day strike a week before Christmas with a 24-hour day of action planned for Monday.

Kenny Logan, CWU branch secretary, said: “I’m concerned for our members in future tribunals and the ability of the business conducting future conduct cases. We’re determined to win reinstatement for David. If this doesn’t happen, this could escalate to a branch-wide dispute.”

Customers held “silent protests” outside the Cupar delivery office. Stephen Gethins, SNP MSP for North East Fife has also backed Mr Mitchell. Mr Mitchell, said: “I didn’t want it to come to this. I just wish the Royal Mail could see sense and give me my job back.”

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: “Royal Mail was ordered by the tribunal to pay Mr Mitchell a compensatory award plus some of the costs in this case, as we do not believe that it is appropriate for him to return to work with us. This payment has been paid to him.

“We take the security of mail extremely seriously and investigate all ­complaints.”

[DB1100]

It should be nationwide,if we cannot spare a day to support an innocent man it's terrible,but sadly just a good indicator of the sort of people who work for Royal mail now,the I'm alright Jack brigade who think it will never happen to them.

[Broxi51]

It should be nationwide,if we cannot spare a day to support an innocent man it's terrible,but sadly just a good indicator of the sort of people who work for Royal mail now,the I'm alright Jack brigade who think it will never happen to them.

It needs to be official. If you feel strongly about supporting him, then speak to your rep or area rep and tell them. It's not just about supporting the guy, it's about stopping this from happening to someone else

[mw7485]

What winds me up about this is that RM want to cherry pick the parts of the tribunal result that satisfy them. If a case goes to tribunal and the tribunal find against RM, RM should just accept the result with good grace, learn from it and move on. Will this compnay ever stop being so high and mighty? Somehow, I doubt it!

[Phantom]

Agree with the reply above. It needs to go national, all out. It's a disgrace, we had something similar at our office, the postman was suspended with the manager trying to set him up. He was totally innocent and the office was just about to go to ballot when senior management got wind of this then they brought him back to work and moved the dom to another part of the country.

[Justiceseeker]

Hopefully the Union will encourage the posties nationally to speak up and say we're not going to accept this. Stand up for Dave but also yourselves, this is like a twisted national lottery - who's next?