CEPU : Connecting our community

Postal workers gear up for massive strike vote

NATIONAL RELEASE
Posted 04/09/2007 -


20,000 postal workers across the country will vote on whether to take industrial action in the biggest workplace ballots that Australia has seen since the start of WorkChoices.

The union covering employees in Australia Post, the CEPU postal union today were given the green-light hold the ballot from the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

If the ballot is successful, postal workers across the country may be able to engage in 4 hour, 24 hour and 48 hour stoppages. 

They will also be able to impose work bans on the checking and collection of unpaid postage, and participating in overtime.

CEPU National President Ed Husic said that a stubborn stand by Post executives had left few options for union members.

“For nearly a year our members have wanted to see Australia Post offer them a better wages agreement to help them meet the rising cost of living and interest rates,” Mr Husic said. 

“It’s been a tough task trying to get Australia Post senior executives – who’ve awarded themselves bonuses of up to 42 per cent – to see how day-to-day living costs are forcing our members to ask for a better deal with more job security.
 
“Our members are also confronted by a deal that:

  • Pushes our members further away from average weekly earnings by deliberately reducing access to penalty rates -- for postal workers earning $36,000 a year
  • Attempts to use WorkChoices to reduce job security, in the face of likely moves to shift full-time employment to part-time work
  • Removes access to an independent umpire – the AIRC – to settle disputes for an enterprise agreement of more than 100 pages length containing a score of conditions.


“We worked hard during the negotiations to find middle ground with Post.  We've carefully considered the move to apply for a ballot.

"Since the negotiation process seems to have been exhausted at this stage, we’ve taken a concrete step to get our members’ views heard – through this ballot," Mr Husic said.

The ballot opens on Friday 14 September and closes on 26 September

(END RELEASE)