Around 50 Royal Mail staff refuse to return to work over ‘racist question’ row

A strike at a Royal Mail depot in Merseyside over claims a manager made a ‘racist’ comment to a Muslim worker has entered its second day.

Workers at the Bootle and Seaforth delivery office walked out yesterday over claims a manager is alleged to have put a racist question to a postman.

The worker is said to have become upset by the comment and went home.

The incident resulted in around 50 workers going on strike.

The ECHO understands that the dispute has continued today.

A worker who asked not to be named said: “Yes the lads are back on strike today and there is a picket line in place.”

The industrial dispute appears to have divided opinion amongst ECHO readers.

Maria Sebastian said: “How wonderful his colleagues shown such solidarity.

“Hope the situation is resolved and management are aware, racism is not acceptable. Ignorance is not an excuse. It’s a shame the unions aren’t backing the workers.”

Paul Riley said: “Amazing seeing people of all colours and cultures standing together.”

Danielle Moglione said: “She’s asked a totally inappropriate question, which is totally irrelevant to his job… Good on his colleagues for backing him up. And the manager should be dismissed on the stop, send out a message that this sort of behavior will not be tolerated in the workplace buy any staff.”

Kevin Roberts said: “Good on the workers, it’s time discrimination stopped.”

However other readers did not agree with decision to strike.

Chris Parkinson said: “Oh wow another reason to strike – keep your eyes open to hear the next one.”

Graham Spiers said: “Should of just put a grievance in against the manager. Followed the company’s disciplinary and grievance procedure agreed between the company and union representatives.”

Tommy Dempsey said: “Don’t worry about it it’s the public that suffer stuff not going out no need to walk out not got backing of the union just hope they get the hours taken from their pay it’s not how it should have been dealt with so I wouldn’t be supporting them plenty of job seekers out there willing to take their jobs.”

Kenny Threlfall said: “Doesn’t merit a strike, there are official lines he can go down, anything for a day off by the sounds of it for the strikers.”

Sandra Cahill Creevy said: “I was on a course in Warrington once. The other people there used to call me a ‘Scouse git’ I laughed and called them something even more insulting. I didn’t go on strike.”

A spokesman for the Communication Workers Union said: “We are representing our member as we do in any situation like this.”

Royal Mail bosses have criticised the strike, describing it as “unballoted.”

A spokesman said: “We are disappointed that unballoted industrial action is taking place today at Bootle and Seaforth delivery office.

“This covers the L20, L21 and L30 postcode areas.(Bootle, Seaforth and Litherland)

“We sincerely apologise to customers in these areas for any disruption to their mail services.

“The customer service point is open as usual for customers to collect items for which we have left  a ‘Something for You’ card.

“Mail collections from postboxes in the area may also be affected this afternoon so customers are advised to post mail outside of the area, drop mail off at any main Post Office branch or at the delivery office.

“Royal Mail is fully committed to resolving our colleagues’ concerns in co-operation with the Communication Workers Union (CWU).”