Posties record vote OKs action

Date: 08 December 2009

Postal workers across Australia have voted overwhelmingly - and in record numbers - to take protected industrial action against Australia Post leading into Christmas.

"Nearly 80 percent of employees who voted in this ballot opted for protected industrial action - a resounding message of dissatisfaction with Australia Post management", according to Ed Husic, National President of the Communications Electrical Plumbing Union.

"Since April we've gotten nowhere in trying to get a new enterprise agreement with Australia Post.

"In the end, our members got sick of being told by a senior management team that took home $8m in salaries last year that Post can't afford to consult better on workplace change, promote job security and full time work, improve safety or protect penalty rates and take home pay.

"So 80% of members voting in this ballot said 'enough's enough - we're now going to take industrial action to get a fairer set of conditions'.

"In the next 24 hours we'll announce details of the type of action we'll take, including work stoppages and bans on the checking of whether letters and cards are properly stamped - which will effectively mean postage free mail.

"The Australian Electoral Commission advises that 11,150 Australia Post employees cast valid votes, making this the largest successful workplace ballot in the country. With nearly 80% voting to take action, the result is higher than the previous ballot (74% - yes vote) we ran in 2007.

"In 2007 it took nearly three weeks to receive around 10,000 votes - but in 2009 more members voted in half the time. That's a clear sign of how strongly our members feel about taking action in Post.

"Our members know Christmas is a special time and we'll be looking to use actions that impact less on the public. We're getting positive feedback that the public may appreciate action that brings free mail days - a welcome Christmas gift.

"Since April, Australia Post has had ample opportunity to sort out the differences at the negotiating table. Instead they refused to move or used a hardline legal strategy to delay a ballot that could've been held in September but - through Australia Post's actions - has been carried out right before Christmas."

Employees are calling on Australia Post to provide improved job security, workplace safety and protection of take home pay via:

• A clear commitment to protecting and promoting full time jobs in Post;

• Full access to an independent umpire with the power to sort out any future disputes, along with improved consultation on workplace change;

• An end to the use of Facility Nominated Doctors (FND or company paid doctors) who are forcing employees back to work even when they are still sick or injured;

• Protection of penalty shifts and rosters.

The ballot was launched on November 25 with ballot papers distributed across the country by the Australian Electoral Commission and closed Friday, December 4.

For further information or media interviews please call:

• Ed Husic, CEPU National President, 0437 371 372 or

• BJ Jafari 0431 549 220

For further information

Contact:	Ed Husic, National President
Union:	CEPU
Contact Mobile:	0437 371 372
WWW:	http://www.cepuconnects.org/





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