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Eleven postal workers on the Wirral were reportedly suspended from their roles for going to the pub for a cup of tea on their breaks, in a move that sparked major disruption to the service local people received.
The Liverpool Echo understands that three of the postal workers, all of which were based at the Prenton Delivery Office, are no longer serving a suspension and are back at work. However that may be scant consolation for the households across Prenton, Oxton and the Wirral which were impacted by the decline in postal service.
Some local people have reportedly received their post more than a week late, with one Oxton resident claiming they’ve missed two hospital appointments due to letters not being delivered in time.
Birkenhead MP Mick Whitley attacked the Royal Mail managers responsible for the suspensions. There was no comment from the postal service on the suspensions, as they were internal matters, but it did apologise for the delays experienced by locals.
The suspensions took place after posties were reported for taking their breaks in the Caernarvon Castle pub in Prenton. However, pub regular Ian Harris told the Liverpool Echo that he only ever saw them consuming teas and coffees, nothing alcoholic.
He said the workers would come into the pub to use the toilets to “freshen up”.
He added: “There wasn’t any alcohol whatsoever used and we the regulars liked to see them.”
Mick Whitley said he was informed by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) that 11 postal staff were suspended and that three had now been reinstated.
However the outcomes of the hearings for the remaining eight were still being waited on.
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.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We are sorry to residents who have experienced delays. Improving quality of service is our top priority and we are committed to restoring service levels to where our customers expect them to be.
“Efforts at the local delivery office are ongoing to improve this level of service. This includes additional recruitment and the addition of agency staff. Mail continues to be delivered, and anyone who has mail and does not receive it on the day they expect will always be prioritised the following day.
“Across our business we have plans in place to drive service levels. We hope and expect to see further progress in the coming months.”
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