PAY-OUT FOR POSTIE IN JUNK MAIL PROBE

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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09:00 - 05 January 2008

A Postman suspended then sacked over undelivered junk mail has been given a pay-out by his former bosses.

Steve Rowbotham had rounds in Burton Joyce before Royal Mail launched an investigation over alleged "mistreatment of mail". He was later dismissed.

The 37-year-old lost an appeal against this and had planned to take the matter to an employment tribunal, claiming unfair dismissal.

He says he was then made an offer by Royal Mail, which he accepted.

But today he said: "I'm still disappointed and angry. Judging by the public support at the time, everyone thought it was silly.

"I had a clean record and have never been in trouble before."

The Post reported in June how villagers were campaigning to get Mr Rowbotham reinstated.

Today householder Marian Greenway, 74, said: "Steve is a very nice man and a caring person.

"The Post Office have been a bit harsh on him, to have done what they did - this is what most people around here think.

"You wouldn't have thought it was a sackable offence."

Gedling borough councillor Pat Blandamer wrote to 300 residents saying last summer's suspension was because Mr Rowbotham did not deliver junk mail when a backlog built up.

She said: "We have got a new postman, but we are really upset because Steve was the most brilliant postman you could wish for.

"All the people on his round are very disappointed that he's not been brought back."

A spokeswoman from Royal Mail said: "We can confirm that an employee at Burton Joyce delivery office, who was suspended pending a full-conduct case relating to the willful delay of mail, has been dismissed.

"The employee had the right of appeal, which was unsuccessful.

"An employment tribunal brought by the employee was called off after a mutually agreeable resolution was reached.

"Royal Mail does not comment on the detail of individual personnel cases."

Mr Rowbotham is now working for a debt recovery firm in Nottingham city centre

[axeman]

And thats why the good people of burslem need an independant inquiry ...you cannot trust r.m to take an unbiased look no mater what accusations have been made

[norbet colon]

And thats why the good people of burslem need an independant inquiry ...you cannot trust r.m to take an unbiased look no mater what accusations have been made

and Royal Failure parrot out that everything is best practice and proven LOL , they've took a pasting over Burslem , it's no surprise with their autocratic , highhanded attitude and it won't be the first , nor the last time . Must be the most thick , arrogant , overtly regimented , underhand firm going ?

It's also "best practice" to stay out of the papers and not suffer "damage to corporate image " DOH!