MP Shocked by Indifference to Postmen's Plight

Thursday, 28 January 2010

46 local postmen and women have been dismissed, suspended or had to take time off with stress in the last few years and last night in a special Commons debate John Pugh asked why.

Dr Pugh suggested “something is going seriously wrong” with industrial relations out at Kew as he drew attention to what appear to be heavy handed punishments for small errors at work, including not wearing cycle helmets. Such errors cost postmen their jobs putting enormous strain on their families.  

But the MP was deeply disappointed by the response from the Labour Minister, Pat McFadden, who though recognising an industrial relations problem in the Royal Mail stated that it such issues were an internal matter for Royal Mail management. John Pugh was in the debate backed by Labour and Conservative members who reported similar experiences.
 
 "I did not raise this issue because I know all the facts, but because of loyal postmen whose working lives, pensions and careers have been blighted or ruined. The Government own the Royal Mail and the unwillingness of them even to gather basic facts and statistics about the treatment of public employees is utterly shocking.  Rarely are matters black and white but it’s our fundamental duty in parliament to stand up for those who may be the victim of injustice. Injustice can happen at work-especially when there is a drive to cut costs. The apparent acceptance by a Labour minister that you can be sacked at Southport for taking your helmet off but not at another branch I find appalling.

“The Royal Mail's most precious asset is their staff, their community roots, their camaraderie- they squander those assets at their peril. "

Click here for video and text of debate .