Postal
Australia Post and unions agree on way forward
(18 March 2010) The CEPU, CPSU and Australia Post have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), outlining a framework for negotiations to achieve a new Fair Work Agreement.
The MOU is a result of recent discussions between Australia Post, the CEPU and CPSU.
The MOU is a major step forward in building a stronger relationship between Australia Post and the CEPU and CPSU, after a breakdown in negotiations late year resulted in members taking protected industrial action.
CEPU National President Ed Husic said, “The MOU provides a great platform to bring everyone together to help get an agreement between us. We’ll be devoting all our energies to this process, because our members know it’s vitally important for the security of their wages and conditions.”
There’s still much work to be done, to make sure we get an agreement that satisfies members’ priorities for security, safety and pay. The MOU doesn’t give us the new agreement – but it does help create a better negotiating environment to get it.
The MOU commits all parties to a relationship of mutual obligation built on consultation, transparency and trust.
As a gesture of good faith the MOU contains commitments from all parties that will apply immediately:
- Australia Post will honour its previous commitment of a 2 per cent pay increase in August 2010 and a further pay increase of 2 per cent in December 2010;
- The CEPU and the CPSU agree not to organise or take any industrial action while negotiations progress in a timely manner to reach a new agreement;
- Australia Post will host a summit in April between senior executives including the Managing Director and senior CEPU representatives on the future challenges facing the business, the unions and their members; and
- The removal of Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate’s in bonus targets for managers.
The agreement signed today will operate while the parties negotiate a Fair Work Agreement this year with negotiations commencing next week.
Planning will begin next week for the timetabling of the talks and issues that need to be covered off, ahead of the major summit between the parties in April.
The CEPU would like to thank members for their support throughout this long campaign. We look forward to promptly reaching an agreement, which will protect members’ pay and conditions.
We will keep members informed of proceedings.
Click here to access a copy of the MOU signed today
For more information, contact the CEPU via feedback@cepu.asn.au