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From The Socialist newspaper, 22 April 2009
Postal workers' solidarity action
Members of the CWU at the Royal Mail sorting office in Woolwich took industrial action on 31 March and 14 April demanding the full reinstatement of victimised worker Andy Holman, a delivery worker who was sacked just before Christmas last year.
Paul Callanan
Andy Holman was sacked for making a mistake doing a job that his employers hadn't trained him to do. The union also hotly disputes the evidence against him.
After making the mistake, he was guaranteed by his employers that he would not face the sack but they still went ahead and fired him. This came just after the employers, who claim to have a zero tolerance policy on bullying and harassment, found two managers at the same office guilty of bullying and harassing other members of staff. They were let off with a slap on the wrist and sent on a course with no further action being taken.
CWU local union rep Neil Morgan highlighted the hypocrisy of the Royal Mail management, pointing out that they: "Sacked Andy for making a genuine mistake while the two managers found guilty of bullying were let off".
This is part of the Royal Mail management's efforts to create a climate of fear in order to deter workers from taking action in times of economic crisis and threatened privatisation of postal services.
Their efforts have been in vain, as both the one-hour stoppage on 31 March and the 24-hour strike on 14 April were 100% solid with no workers crossing the picket line and bringing postal services in the area to a standstill. The union is considering a south east London wide strike later this month. The union is also preparing to fight against job cuts that will come as part of the Royal Mail's so-called savings and modernisation plans.
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In The Socialist 22 April 2009:
Environment and socialism
New Labour's environmental ploy: How green are electric cars?
Visteon
Visteon workers stand up to bosses
Taking the Visteon struggle forward
Basildon workers picket Ford showrooms
Solidarity with the Visteon Workers
Enfield workers say: "Do a Visteon!"
Disbelief at Visteon bosses' offer
Socialist Party election campaign
European elections: a workers' alternative to New Labour takes shape
Socialist Party youth and students
Socialist Party campaigns
G20 Summit death: Independent inquiry into police violence, now!
International socialist news and analysis
Tamil action to stop the war continues
Ireland: Budget savages workers
Marxist analysis: history
Betrayals that led to Thatcher's victory
Socialist Party workplace news
Stead McAlpin: Protesting in London
Unison: a fighting and democratic union needed
Postal workers' solidarity action
Wales FE funding: Victory, but keep the champagne on ice
National Shop Stewards Network conference
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