Union's helpline exposes widespread harassment

The success of the CWU communication workers' union harassment hotline was widely acknowledged by postal delegates at its annual conference last month.

The hotline was credited with uncovering some appalling cases of bullying and intimidation, but the union believes this could be only the tip of the iceberg in Britain's second worst industry for harassment.

Harrowing cases involving physical brutality, drugged drinks and alleged rape were outlined by CWU deputy general secretary John Keggie who revealed that one gay Royal Mail worker "felt so victimised and isolated by his colleagues that he ended up taking his meal breaks in a toilet cubicle."

"I'm not easily shocked," said Keggie "but when I reviewed these cases it's harrowing to see what's going on out there. What is also clear is that we've only scratched the surface of the problem so far."

The conference resolved to elect advisors every two years and to train a number of union reps to act as specialists on harassment at branch level.