PO snubs Tribunal

Added: (Tue Oct 30 2001)

Pressbox (Press Release) - PRESS RELEASE

POST OFFICE RENEGES ON AGREED TRIBUNAL DECISION

30 October 2001

Following a remedies hearing last Thursday in the case of Mick Doherty (N/NW London CWU Chairman), who was unfairly dismissed by the Post Office following alleged involvement in football violence, prior to last year’s UEFA Cup Final in Copenhagen. It was agreed by both Post Office solicitors and Mick Doherty’s solicitors that Mr Doherty would resume employment at Essex Rd Post Office on 12 November with £15000 compensation.

However today, Mick’s solicitors received a fax from the Post Office informing them that; they would NOT abide by the unanimously agreed decision of the Employment Tribunal (won in August 2001). This is despite the fact that at the remedies hearing they had not contested the decision of the Tribunal and had NOT lodged an appeal (This was the forum to do so).

This is a total U-turn by the Post Office and Mr Doherty’s solicitors are looking into the legality of their actions. Mick said, “ Thursday’s hearing was in fact a total waste of time and public money. For a publicly owned company not to abide by the decision of an independent public arbitration panel casts the whole Tribunal system into question!”

CWU officials are ‘livid’ at the Post Office’s actions. It is anticipated that some form of action will follow as Post Office employees must have the peace of mind that they will get ‘fair’ treatment if they win Employment Tribunals.

For further details contact:

Mick Doherty Tel : 07950 267906

N/NW London CWU Tel : 0207 239 3539