Royal Mail’s Hard-Line Treatment Of Staff

The North West CWU has welcomed the recent comments made by John Pugh Liberal Democrat MP for Southport who has raised concerns about Royal Mail’s current hard-line policy in the way they handle discipline cases. This comes as unprecedented numbers of postal workers are being disciplined and sacked in North West England.

Royal Mail is currently shedding jobs under the guise of modernisation and introducing more part-time workers. It can be no coincidence that they now appear to be taking an uncompromising position on disciplinary cases with an unprecedented level of dismissals removing the need to make redundancy payments.

But it’s not all bad news for Royal Mail employees. The Chief Executive of Royal Mail negotiated a deal that allows private companies access to Royal Mail’s network; this contract in fact makes a loss of over £100 million. Luckily the board took pity on Mr Crozier and awarded him a £500,000 bonus, not bad when you consider a postal worker can be sacked for accidentally leaving an item of mail in the office or for other offences that they would normally receive a warning for in the first instance.

More and more local union officials are reporting postal workers being dismissed for offences that they would normally would just receive a warning for.

Carl Webb, NW Regional Secretary said: “The CWU would like to thank MPs like John Pugh MP for highlighting our members’ concerns with regard to Royal Mail’s hard line attitude towards them, many who have worked for Royal Mail for over 30 years.

 “This is one of the reasons why morale in Royal Mail is so low and industrial relations are non existent. It is also fuelling a lot of fear and resentment among the staff.”

The CWU in the North West are calling on MPs and the Government to act now and replace the hard-line Directors/Managers with individuals that not only have a public sector ethos but most importantly care for the staff they employ.

Carl said: “It is a well known fact that employers who treat their staff fairly are rewarded with commitment, loyalty and a workforce who will 'go the extra mile'. We all know the consequences for employers who choose to rule by fear.”

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