Postal workers in 'pay threat' after red snow warning

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-s ... d-43358889#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Postal workers are being asked to vote for industrial action amid claims they have been "penalised" by the recent red weather warning.

Royal Mail staff in east central Scotland were told their pay would be docked or they would lose annual leave if they failed to get to work during the heavy snow.

The public were advised not to travel during the worst of the weather.

Royal Mail said it had a "clear adverse weather policy".

But a spokeswoman added that it will take a look at the circumstances where the weather has been extreme.

The Met Office issued a red weather warning for snow - the first of its kind in Scotland - on 28 February.

Motorists were warned to keep off the roads, while buses and train services were cancelled.

When the red warning was downgraded to amber, people were again warned to travel only if it was absolutely necessary.

Gary Clark, of the Communications Workers Union, said postal workers were paying for heeding official travel advice.

"Our members who could not attend work were asked to take a day's annual leave, pay back time or lose money," he said.

"This is when the government, police, everybody is telling us only travel for extreme emergencies."

He added: "There was no transport, there was no way for our members to get to work on a large amount of occasions.

"But our members are now being penalised basically for the first ever red warning in Scotland, where there was no travel advised."

In the wake of the adverse weather, Scotland's transport minister Humza Yousaf raised concerns about employers considering docking of the wages of those unable to get to work.

He said it was not acceptable and the Scottish government would consider action against the employers.

A spokeswoman for Royal Mail said it has had no official notice of any ballot for strike action.

She added: "Royal Mail has a clear adverse weather policy for employees who are unable to get into work.

"Employees should, in the first instance, speak to their line manager about any issues. All employees are able to use annual leave or make up the time lost.

"Employees can also, if they prefer, take unpaid time off if they are unable to attend work.

"If a site has been closed by the business or, because of disruption there is no work to be processed or delivered, employees would receive their normal pay."

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/lo ... her-alert/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fife posties are threatening strike action after a “scandalous” decision to dock their pay as the beast from the east hit.

According to union representatives, Royal Mail plans to deduct wages or holiday entitlement from delivery staff who failed to make it into work during the red severe weather alert, despite warnings from the Scottish Government and the police not to travel.

Those working in mail centres, which were closed for several days during the blizzards at the end of February, will be paid as normal.

Incensed members of the Communications Workers Union (CWU) representing Fife, Edinburgh, Falkirk and parts of the Borders voted on Friday to apply for a strike ballot, the first branch in the country to do so.

They have predicted the rest of Scotland will follow suit unless there is a change of heart from Royal Mail, which says it is following its adverse weather policy.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said the policy may be adjusted in times of adverse weather.

CWU rep Gary Haldane, from Dunfermline delivery office, said: “We as a union are not prepared to sit back and let Royal Mail treat us like this.

“All mail centres were shut from 6pm on Wednesday February 28 due to the risk but Royal Mail opened delivery offices knowing the police, local government and the Scottish Government were advising not to leave your house unless in an emergency, never mind the fact there was no mail in the offices.”

Staff will be told about the possibility of industrial action during meetings with union reps before work on Monday morning.

“We’re hoping all the other branches will apply for a ballot as well and hopefully it will put enough pressure on Royal Mail not to dock our wages,” said Mr Haldane.

“They are not thinking of the health and safety of the workers and it’s totally scandalous.”

A Royal Mail spokesperson said the company had not had any official notice of any ballot for strike action.


“Royal Mail has a clear adverse weather policy for employees who are unable to get into work,” they said.

“Employees should, in the first instance, speak to their line manager about any issues.

“All employees are able to use annual leave or make up the time lost.

“Employees can also, if they prefer, take unpaid time off if they are unable to attend work.”

The spokesperson added: “If a site has been closed by the business or, because of disruption, there is not work to be processed or delivered employees would receive their normal pay.”

[midegarelu]

And still the CWU want us to vote Yes!

[deltaforce]

Wasn't aware we were voting on snow related issues.

[Lincox]

You are not but you are voting on the attitude of Royal Mail to it,s employees. It just shows that they have not turned over a new leaf and have scant regard for the coal face workers when it comes to health and safety.