By Chris Leary
WORKERS at the Burslem sorting office in Staffordshire are in the process of balloting for further strike action against the sacking of a long standing worker after a previous strike.
The ballot – 99% yes to further action! – concerns the misapplication of conduct procedure by Royal Mail managers. The sacked worker was first suspended for eight weeks on the testimony of just two managers for eight weeks.
Andrew Plant, branch secretary of CWU Midland No. 7 branch which covers Burslem, told Solidarity that since the ballot for action was announced, Royal Mail managers have moved pretty quickly to set up an appeal for the sacked worker, but that union members remain firm towards strike action. He said that as soon as management moved to suspend the worker in question, other CWU members took wildcat action to defend their co-worker.
Managers, some of which are thought to be members of the Amicus trade union, attempted to scab on CWU members’ action by trying to sort mail during the strike. This action by Amicus members – fellow trade unionists – is a scandal, and the CWU members at Burslem are prepared to defend their jobs.
The Midland No 7 branch have recently taken several days strike action to defend their conditions and are set to do so again.
Please rush messages of solidarity to the branch at secretary@cwumid7.org.uk. Donations can be sent by cheque (payable to CWU Midland No. 7) CWU Midland No. 7, Lindsay Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 4EP.
