Trouble brewing at Royal Mail as six postal workers are sacked in a row over tea breaks

Six Royal Mail staff have been sacked after enjoying cups of tea and coffee at two pubs while on break. 

The postal workers were dismissed from their jobs at the Prenton Delivery Office in Wirral, Merseyside, earlier this week following the incident, according to the Communication Workers Union. 

They were among a group of 11 workers were suspended after they were found to have been taking their work breaks at the Caernarvon Castle and the Swan pubs where they would enjoy cups of tea and coffee, Birkenhead News reported. 

Of the remaining five postal workers, three have been reinstated, one was given a penalty, while the outcome of the other individual is unkown, the CWU said. 

The sackings came after locals in the area complained they were receiving their mail more than a week late, with one resident claiming to have missed a two hospital appointments as a result.   

Oxton councillor Stuart Kelly has criticised the move saying: ‘Whatever their internal management problems, people in Oxton and Prenton want a proper post service and it is essential that Royal Mail focus on providing that.’

Joe Thomas, who lives in Oxton, told Birkenhead News that he has only had one piece of mail through his letterbox this week. 

He later went in to see if there was any other post and said: ‘I asked if they had any more post. It was chaos in there.

‘He did find it but it was in the wrong place. I could tell his frustration. They work really hard and were helpful but it was clear that it had been ongoing.’

Another resident, Steve Roper, is still waiting on important bank letters to arrive. 

He told Birkenhead News: ‘It’s been poorly managed. What is the problem with someone having a cup of tea? I know for a fact when it was really hot, I have offered cans of Coke or bottles of water.’ 

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: ‘As a responsible employer we always investigate any incidents where the behaviour of our employees is alleged to have fallen below the standards expected.

‘Any decision to dismiss an employee is only done so in line with the clear rules and regulations that govern employment law for all UK businesses and our internal standards.’