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The Royal Mail has reportedly suspended 11 posties after they went to a pub for their break. The postal workers are said to have only had tea and coffee at the Wirral venue where they were also given the chance to freshen up.
But despite some already being reinstated, the suspensions have caused major disruption to services in the area. Some have said their post has been delayed and one person said they had missed appointments as a result, reports The Liverpool Echo.
Some people in the area say their post has been more than a week late. One resident said they had missed two hospital appointments as a result of the mail not being delivered.
Local politicians have been made aware of the situation and have stepped in to condemn the handling of the situation, including Birkenhead’s MP Mick Whitley. The Royal Mail declined to comment on internal affairs but did say sorry to anyone who had experienced a delay.
The action was reportedly taken after the posties were found to have been taking their work breaks at the Caernarvon Castle pub in Prenton. However pub regular Ian Harris said he only ever saw them drinking tea and coffee there.
Mr Harris said the posties were given a pot of coffee and a pot of tea and allowed to use the toilet facilities and “freshen up.” He added: “There wasn’t any alcohol whatsoever used and we the regulars liked to see them.”
Mick Whitley, MP for Birkenhead, said he was told by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) that 11 postal workers had been suspended but three had now been reinstated. He said the hearings for the remaining eight had taken place and they are awaiting an outcome.
He said: “I wrote to the local management on July 20 and requested a response to my concerns and clarity on what steps they were taking to improve both industrial relations and delivery services. As of today they haven’t replied.”
He added: “The union stressed they were open to discussions with management to resolve the disciplinary issues and I strongly urge the management to engage constructively with the CWU as the only way to restore normal service and improve industrial relations.
“However, I would urge the CWU to be vigilant as the management across Royal Mail have a very recent record of attacking the terms and conditions of its staff and provoking disputes.”
