Reinstate Dave Condliffe

Burslem postal workers continue the fight

POSTAL WORKERS in Burslem continue the fight to get Dave Condliffe reinstated. After a week-long strike which was 100% solid, they are to strike again on 30 and 31 March and 2 April.

Andy Bentley, Stoke Socialist Party

During the week-long strike, around 140 managers were brought in to try to deliver mail. They came from as far away as the Isle of Wight and were put up in hotels.

There are plans for a CWU district-wide ballot in support of Dave Condliffe but this will only happen, if at all, after the next strike by the Burslem workers.

Royal Mail should be told clearly by the CWU that if they try to use managers as scab labour in the next strike, then the union will spread the strike regionally and even nationally as an attack on all postal workers.

These workers are taking legal industrial action in defence of one of their fellow workers, which the management is trying to cut across by using scabs. The only way to stop this is to spread the action.

There is widespread support for the Burslem strikers among local people. Members of Stoke Socialist Party were out on the streets of Hanley last Saturday. Over 200 people signed our petition. Many told us of the bullying management where they work. Postal workers from Burslem, Stoke, Longton, Kidsgrove and Leek (even one from Northampton!) signed up, along with many young people.

Eighty four people bought a copy of the socialist which had full coverage of the campaign on the back page and £30 was also raised for the Burslem postal workers' hardship fund.

• Sign the on-line petition at www.stokesocialistparty.org.uk. Send messages of support and donations to: CWU, Midland No 7, Lindsay Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 4EP.
• Fax 01782 272978. Telephone 01782 285833. email area.delivery@cwumid7.org.uk with a copy to andybentley3@tiscali.co.uk
• email or send letters of protest to: Allan Leighton - chairman of Royal Mail: allan.leighton@royalmail.com and Adam Crozier chief executive of Royal Mail: 148 Old Street, London. EC1V 9HQ.
• Midland No.7 branch, mass meeting. Tuesday 27 March, 7pm. At Reardon's, side of Hanley town hall.