Peterborough posties vote for strike action after colleague sacked

Peterborough posties have voted for strike action after a colleague was sacked.
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Union officials are now calling on Royal Mail to re-instate the worker to avoid industrial action. CWU union members voted 87.8% in favour of strike action over the sacking of their colleague.

The postman, who has worked several years for the business with no previous disciplinary record, was fired in July – action which, the CWU argues, both “breached” and “unreasonably applied” the company’s conduct agreement.

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CWU branch secretary Andy Beeby (CWU Eastern No 5) said: “This ballot result shows the huge strength of feeling among members that this sacking was unfair and must be reconsidered. It’s their view and the view of this union that the allegations laid against our member here do not, in our view, warrant dismissal.

Posties in Peterborough have voted to strikeANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty ImagesPosties in Peterborough have voted to strikeANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images
Posties in Peterborough have voted to strikeANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images

“In fact, in the case we made to management, our divisional rep Steve Butts cited 13 previous cases of comparable incidents which did not lead to summary dismissals.”

The Union say the dismissal was made on the basis of what could have happened in different circumstances, rather than what did happen on the day in question. Mr Beeby said: “This is completely unacceptable, and we’re calling on the company to reinstate this member, with full pay, benefits and continuity of employment without loss.”

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We were disappointed to receive notice of a ballot for industrial action at our Peterborough Delivery Office. A ballot result for industrial action does not necessarily mean there will be a strike. We are working through the issues raised and continue to engage with the CWU to find a resolution.”

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