Kirkby post strike ends after row over asbestos fears

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Postal workers on strike in Kirkby will return to work tomorrow after a row over asbestos fears in a local delivery office.

Staff at the Kirkby delivery office walked out without a ballot last Wednesday after suspected asbestos was discovered while contractors were renovating the building.

Several local residents have told the ECHO their post has not been arriving with deliveries very limited in the L32 and L33 postcodes.

Royal Mail apologised to customers and said normal service will resume tomorrow, with staff agreeing to return to work after union representatives met with employers this morning.

A spokesman said the ‘asbestos-related’ material had now been removed, but was never disturbed so and had never posed a health risk to staff.

Mark Walsh, secretary of the Communication Workers Union’s Greater Merseyside branch, said: “Staff walked out because of the asbestos and how it has been communicated to them. The action was unballoted as a decision was made quite quickly after the material was found.

“It should now be resolved, as we’ve had confirmation from experts that it’s a safe environment to work in and safeguards have been put in place. The inspections allayed members’ fears.”

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “We are pleased staff will return to work and normal service will resume tomorrow. We would like to apologise to customers for recent disruption to deliveries in Kirkby following unballoted industrial action.

“During recent renovation works at Royal Mail’s delivery office in Kirkby, contractors discovered a material they suspected may have been asbestos. Work was immediately stopped and a competent external contractor employed to undertake testing.

“The material was identified as asbestos-related and was subsequently removed. Neither our staff or customers were exposed.

“We have liaised closely with our union and we have their full backing. Royal Mail’s foremost priority is its staff and customers’ safety.”