Labour Research February 2006

Health & Safety Matters

Stop the assaults on postal workers

Royal Mail has been urged to take action following a string of vicious assaults on postal workers in Bradford, Halifax and Nottingham.

"Our members have been punched, kicked, headbutted, stabbed, threatened with knives and guns, shot at, pelted, and these incidents are becoming commonplace," said Gerald Harkin, health and safety officer at the CWU communication union.

The CWU wants Royal Mail to introduce a standardised reporting system for violence and a "zero tolerance" policy.