Postal workers to vote on strikes in support of sacked colleague
Thousands of postal workers in Scotland are to be balloted for strikes in support of a sacked colleague.
Thousands of postal workers in Scotland are to be balloted for strikes in support of a sacked colleague.
Members of the Communication Workers Union will be asked to vote for industrial action which could affect mail processing, distribution and delivery services in areas including Edinburgh, Dunfermline and Falkirk.
The union said Royal Mail had been refusing to obey a court order to rescind its dismissal of David Mitchell from his job as a delivery worker in December 2014.
His colleagues at Cupar delivery office in Fife have already taken industrial action, while thousands of local residents have signed a petition demanding his reinstatement.
Mr Mitchell was dismissed after 27 years of service over allegations of theft, which he denies.
A Royal Mail spokesman said: Royal Mail is still hopeful of finding a resolution with our union on this local issue to ensure that customers do not face any disruption.
Our customers also expect Royal Mail to do everything in its power to protect the mail we are entrusted to deliver. Following an investigation Royal Mail considered there to be reasonable grounds to suspect wrongdoing in relation to test postal items and Mr Mitchell was dismissed.
We will not reinstate Mr Mitchell, as we believe that the trust between employee and employer has completely broken down. As we feel unable to reinstate Mr Mitchell, the Judge ordered Royal Mail to pay additional compensation, which Mr Mitchell has now received. The legal proceedings have now concluded.''