Australia Post picketed

Over 300 Australia Post workers in Melbourne held a 24-hour 
stoppage last week to protest against Australia Post's attack on 
workers' rights and conditions.

Australia Post is relocating operations from three Port Melbourne 
sites — the State Mail Centre, the State Parcel Centre and the 
Melbourne Transport Centre — to the Melbourne Parcel Centre in 
Ardeer and stripping workers of their current conditions and 
entitlements in the process.

All 250 workers affected participated in the walk-out and picket.

Simon Miller, spokesperson for the Communications Electrical and 
Plumbing Union, said the central issue in the dispute was that a 
large number of permanent jobs were under threat.

"Many of our members are uncertain about whether they will have a 
job under the proposed changes."

Australia Post has also proposed to cut penalty rates by 15 to 30 
percent. Part-time workers would lose their EBA entitlement to be 
guaranteed permanent minimum hours after 12 months of service. 
There is also a plan to scrap long-term higher duty status.

"In addition the management is refusing to supply basic services 
such as a canteen at the new centre in Ardeer. Our members are 
expected to buy 'Lean Cuisine' meals from vending machines".

Mr Miller said the union and workers were calling the new centre 
"Oh Dear" and the "Ardeer Detention Centre", as the facility is 
surrounded by razor wire.