POST ROW STEPPED UP AT PICKET PARTY

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Burslem DO - The Real CWU

09:40 - 26 December 2007

Dozens of union members from across the UK joined postal workers in Burslem for a Party At The Picket in protest over the suspension of 12 colleagues.

Representatives from Wolverhampton, Coventry, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Oxford voiced their anger on Christmas Eve as the dispute with Royal Mail continues.

Officials of The Communication Workers Union (CWU) are due to meet on Friday to discuss their next step after latest talks aimed at settling the postal strike broke down.

They have already stepped up the dispute by extending their current 15-day strike for a further two weeks.

John Embury, from Packmoor, attended the protest, which included music and a barbecue.

He said: "All we want is what's fair. We will continue to fight this until the workers are back at work. Money is not the issue. I would go for six months without being paid. We are making a stand and we will cope."

George Mccausland, of Sneyd Green, said: "We are here to show solidarity for our colleagues. It doesn't matter about the money, we will cope. We have to make a stand."

Former Royal Mail worker Jean McQuade, of Birches Head, joined her ex-colleagues to show support.

She said: "I think it is disgusting the way they are being treated."

The CWU has now organised a rally to take place on January 19. Workers will hold protests before a musical concert at The Leopard, in Burslem, with proceeds donated to the campaign.

About 100 members walked-out last Tuesday for a 15-day strike. The action stems from the suspension of 12 colleagues in September over allegations of bullying and harassment.

Three have been reinstated but remain off work to show solidarity. Nine are still suspended. Three of the nine are union representatives who will have their cases reviewed independently.

The CWU is calling for all nine to receive the same treatment, but Royal Mail has declined as it believes appeals cannot take place unless decisions are made on the cases. Royal Mail says the investigations cannot take place while workers are on strike.

Midlands regional secretary, Lee Barron, said: "The party on the picket was good. We had people from all over the country coming to show support.

"Talks were a waste of time on Saturday and more mail has been found dumped. It is ridiculous. We have reported the problems and now we are going to regulator Postwatch to make a formal complaint about what is going on. We are taking this up at national level and the TUC has been involved regionally to raise the profile of the dispute."

London divisional representative Martin Walsh said: "We are going to support the dispute in London as much as we can."

Chris Wood, regional officer for the Fire Brigade Union, which has donated £1,000 to the campaign added: "We have to show solidarity against unjust management practices. They are trying to run the workplace like they did in the 1920s and 1930s. The Government needs to look at its anti-union legislation."

Viedo of Burslem Picket Party

[wakkono]

is there a fighting fund for these guys?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

is there a fighting fund for these guys?

Yes details on the 2nd page of this thread http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/forum/vi ... 6&start=15