Torquay - Posties vote to strike over sacked colleague

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/P ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

POSTAL workers at Torquay's Royal Mail delivery office have voted 'yes' to taking industrial action over the dismissal of a colleague just after Christmas.

Members are asking for a strike date of February 21 and if it goes ahead it will affect postcodes TQ1 and TQ2.

The result showed 94.7 per cent of employees balloted vote in favour of taking strike action.

Luke Mason, Communication Workers Union branch secretary, said: "Staff are understandably furious about the actions of Royal Mail towards their colleague and this is reflected in the strong showing in favour of taking industrial action.

"We are considering our next steps, but ultimately what we all want is for our colleague to be reinstated.

"We're optimistic this clear strength of feeling among the workforce will help management see we are taking this issue extremely seriously."

He said the dismissed employee had worked for Royal Mail for 10 years and had no previous conduct issues.

Mr Mason said the postie was dismissed after an incident in November.

The employee had finished their duties, parked in the yard of the delivery office and applied the handbrake.

The handbrake failed and the vehicle rolled into a bike shelter causing minor damage to the headlight of the van.

Royal Mail spokesman Mike Norman said the vote was 'disappointing'.

He said: "However, we remain hopeful the issues can be resolved locally.

"Royal Mail is fully committed to the process of trying to resolve concerns of postal workers based in Torquay within the national jointly agreed framework with the CWU. We urge the CWU not to call our people out on strike action, which can only hurt our customers and damage our drive to build a strong and sustainable future for Royal Mail."

[Lincox]

Is Val on holiday?

[Son Of God]

How on earth could this poor bugger get sacked for this? Unber~fuffin~lievable!

[redneck]

Be interesting to see how this develops under the new agreement, those who voted for their pockets in that area will certainly be wondering why the process of strike action suddenly seems even slower to come to a head.

[trythat]

How on earth could this poor bugger get sacked for this? Unber~fuffin~lievable!

'Cause I bet he forgot to leave it in gear.

[hantsman]

If this is a first offence, no prior bad conduct record, was it a hand brake failure? (there have been some)

Then welcome to the yet again "new relationship" most RM vans I see are dented on nearly all the panels, nothing is done (wasn't me Governor)

[Lincox]

How on earth could this poor bugger get sacked for this? Unber~fuffin~lievable!

'Cause I bet he forgot to leave it in gear.

If that is the case and it is a first offence then the sanction should be a simple written warning. I have no insight to what has gone on here but where has the process of a verbal warning, followed by the written warning, for what could be a simple act of forgetfulness or even lack of training, gone to.

[UnhappyGremlin]

How on earth could this poor bugger get sacked for this? Unber~fuffin~lievable!

'Cause I bet he forgot to leave it in gear.

If that is the case and it is a first offence then the sanction should be a simple written warning. I have no insight to what has gone on here but where has the process of a verbal warning, followed by the written warning, for what could be a simple act of forgetfulness or even lack of training, gone to.

It is basically for not leaving the van in gear.
http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 23&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's just plain wrong.
Well done to the posties down there for sticking up for them.

[The_Wax_Man]

The RM fleet needs a whole shake up.

Always on about driver safety, fleet checks etc etc then insist on fitting the worst tyres possible because they are cheap.

If you slid in the wet and hit another car then I'm sure a conduct would be heading your way.


Here is an efficiency and grip rating to what they are fitting to the fleet.

A. Being the best
G. Being the worst

Infinity INF100 Transit Tyres - Budgets being fitted as standard across the fleet.



Imaging knocking someone over in a van fitted with these !!! let me guess:

'Royal Mail spokesman said the Driver was 'disappointing'.

[silly suffolk]

know of a case exactly the same. but his colleagues didn't give a toss so he got the heave ho. all the best to the bloke in torquay.

[Budfrog]

Hope that the threat of IA works and that this OPG gets re-instated.

As Ms Greene said RM had to find “alternative ways to resolve disputes.” ... well having penalties for conduct issues that reflect a modicum of common sense would be a start.

[POSTMAN]

Planned Industrial Action - Torquay Delivery Office (TQ1-TQ2)
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) at our Torquay Delivery Office, serving customers in the TQ1 & TQ2 postcode areas, have given notice of their intention to take industrial action on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 March.

If the action takes place it is likely that deliveries and collections in the area will be significantly disrupted. We will be using volunteers and managerial resources to deliver all Special Delivery™ and RM Tracked™ items and as much other mail as possible. The Enquiry Office at Torquay Delivery Office will remain open to allow customers to collect items for which we have left a 'Something for you' card.

Business collections in the TQ1, TQ2, TQ4 and TQ9 areas will not be possible and customers are advised to take mail to Torquay Delivery Office at Broomhill Way, Torquay, TQ2 7TA where the enquiry office will remain open as usual until 18:00hrs on Thursday and Friday. Customers may also take mail for despatch to adjacent offices at Paignton or Newton Abbott or Post Office® locations outside these postcode areas.

We’re extremely disappointed that the CWU has given notification of their intention to take strike action at Torquay and we would like to apologise to our customers in advance for any impact to mail services and for the inconvenience this strike action will cause if it goes ahead. Royal Mail is working with the CWU to help address the concerns of our employees and to find a positive way forward and avoid any disruption to service.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Planned Industrial Action - Torquay Delivery Office (TQ1-TQ2) Cancelled
The planned industrial action due to take place at Torquay Delivery Office today, Thursday 20th March and on Friday 21st March has been cancelled. All mail deliveries and collections will now take place as usual today.