Cupar posties walk out for a second time in support of sacked colleague

Members of the Communication Workers’ Union staged a 24-hour walkout this morning (Monday) as Royal Mail continue to refuse to reinstate Dave Mitchell despite twice being ordered to do so by an employment judge.

Dave (58) was dismissed in December 2014 amid allegations that he’d stolen mail while on his rounds in Craigrothie, Ceres and Chance inn, where he lives.

Dave had 27 years’ unblemished service as a postman and won judgement in his favour at his first tribunal, when judge Ian McFatridge criticised Royal Mail for failing to properly investigate the allegation.

Despite a search of his van, his own car, his house and his person, nothing was found and Dave likened the investigation to ‘the Keystone Cops’.

Following the judge’s ruling, Royal Mail asked for a second hearing, at which they insisted Dave would not be taken back ‘under any circumstances,’ but again the judge ruled that he should be reinstated.

The Cupar posties first walked out just before Christmas, after 97 per cent of CWU members backed strike action.

Now union officials are warning that industrial action could spread to other parts of Scotland unless Dave is given his job back.

They are also concerned about the implications for members attending future tribunals.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: “Royal Mail is disappointed that the Communications Workers Union has again taken strike action at Cupar dlivery office today.

“We are out delivering mail to nearly all our customer in Cupar today and the enquiry office remains open for customers to pick up mail.

“Royal Mail continues to work with our trade union and people locally to resolve this issue and we apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused.”