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Managers are being driven into a striking Royal Mail depot to cope with an ongoing week-long walkout following an alleged Islamophobic incident.
Last week, the ECHO revealed how posties at the Bootle and Seaforth delivery office on Trinity Industrial Estate had taken sudden industrial action.
It followed claims a female manager had made a racist or Islamophobic comment to a Muslim worker, asking him, “Do you like women?”
Now, the strike is into its seventh day, which also covers the Litherland area, and shows no sign of being resolved.
Union bosses said managers and other employees were travelling to the Sefton office on buses to make sure the mail was delivered.
They accused Royal Mail of being “bloody-minded.”
And they claimed posties would return to work immediately if the female manager in question was temporarily removed from her position.
A spokesman for the Communication Workers Union said: “This could have been resolved before anyone walked out.
“It could have been done on Day 1.
“Royal Mail are not playing ball.
“We are still hopeful of finding a resolution.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“But it’s an absolute nonsense the way they have handled this.”
The Muslim worker, who is said to be a popular employee and who went home upset after the comment, has launched a bullying and harassment grievance.
A source close to the row told the ECHO: “The strike was unballoted because it was completely unplanned.
“Now Royal Mail are bringing in contractors and managers from across the country to fill in for these posties to ensure the mail is still going out, but mainly to intimidate the picket line.
“Nobody in any workplace should be allowed to be bullied in any way, but Royal Mail are condoning it by not suspending or removing the manager out the office, pending an investigation.”
Police have been caused up to four times to the Bootle office, it is understood, as a tit-for-tat-type row has developed.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
It has been claimed, by managers, that strikers had a fire out of control, which those on the picket line described as a small wood burner.
And in another unsubstantiated allegation that posties were accused of causing a disruption at the site.
Royal Mail was approached today for comment.
A spokesman said: “W e’re disappointed that unballoted industrial action is continuing today at Bootle and Seaforth Delivery Office.
“Royal Mail is committed to a workplace free of discrimination and harassment, where all our colleagues feel respected and able to thrive.
“We apologise to customers in these areas for any disruption to their mail services and we are making every effort to maintain our service.
“Royal Mail is pleased that managers from across the country have volunteered their services to help deliver the Universal Service in Bootle and Seaforth.”
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