ROYAL Mail workers in Burnley are threatening to strike over the treatment of a colleague who has been suspended by Royal Mail, according to union bosses.

Workers at the Royal Mail delivery office in Bank Parade held a meeting on Friday to discuss the treatment of a colleague who has worked for the firm for nearly 30 years.

Union representatives said the member of staff was suspended on Tuesday but some fellow staff are angry that it has taken Royal Mail so long to sort the matter out.

No details of the suspension have been released.

Stuart Caddy, from the Commercial Workers Union, said: “Workers believe that this matter should have been dealt with by now.

“Following the meeting we are going to review our position on Monday and we have asked Royal Mail to do the same.

“There was a show of hands at the meeting over what action to take and it was very close, but we want to give Royal Mail the opportunity to sort it out.”

Unions said the worker had been suspended over a fairly low-key matter.

Mr Caddy said: “It is far too long for the worker to be in this position, it is a very emotive issue.

“His colleagues want him back in work, it is a very stressful position for him.”

The union said that the worker involved did not have a blemish on his record.

A spokesperson for Royal Mail said: “Whilst we cannot comment on individual personnel issues, Royal Mail has an established conduct process.

“This is agreed by the Communication Workers Union and we will always seek to resolve issues in line with these arrangements.”