Stop the Workplace Bullying within Down District Council

This petition has been started to support the Down District Council workers who are alleging that senior council managers are engaged in bullying tactics.

On 13th March 2013, the Down Recorder, a local paper highlighted the bullying culture within Down District Council. Senior managers of Down District Council are accused of bullying staff, showing a lack of respect and treating workers with disdain.

Staff from the Cleansing Department (Binmen and Street Sweepers) have resorted to protesting outside the Council depot in order to have their concerns addressed over the bullying within the organisation.

One particular ex-employee has already been pushed to the brink by the Senior Managers of this local authority. This unfortunate individual, who had been diagnosed with Mental Health Problems, was remanded in custody for 6 weeks at Maghabery Prison and then as it was considered he was too dangerous to live in Down District, he had to move out of his home for 5 months. Thankfully this man has now been exonerated, as reported in the Belfast Telegraph of 19th November 2012, however it was interesting to note that "Nobody from Down District Council was available to comment." This tyranny, by whoever those employees are within Down District Council, is disgraceful. An investigation into the practices of this PUBLIC FUNDED SERVICE should be immediately undertaken.

The Down Recorder reported, on 20th March 2013, that Councillor Patrick Clarke has been aware, since May 2011, of the staff concerns and the cavalier attitude of some senior managers.

Well done to the Binmen/Street Sweepers for standing up and taking action on a wider platform.

This warrants investigation at the highest level in the interests of the Ratepayers and ultimately justice.

It is time for Down Councillors and relevant Northern Ireland Government Representatives to get to the bottom of this debacle.