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ZERO Separate Bundle Delivery

SUSPENSION OF ROLL-OUT OF SBD TRAINING & ROUNDS FROM MONDAY OCTOBER 10 - 24

The last time we reported on the struggle of posties to refuse SBD on safety grounds we reported that the Divisional President and Secretary had met with Ahmed Fahour, Australia Post CEO.  

Ahmed agreed at this meeting to meet with the real experts – ‘the posties’ – to discuss the problems with SBD.  This meeting took place on Thursday 29 September. 21 posties (11 nominated by the union & 10 nominated by management) attended and all were highly critical of SBD.  This was followed by a meeting of officials from the Divisional Office and State Branches of the union with senior managers and the following agreement has been reached. 

Catherine Walsh, General Manager Human Resources has agreed:

‘In return for the CWU encouraging employees to return to work, as a demonstration of good faith, Australia Post will place a halt on the further roll out of SBD for 2 weeks, commencing Monday, 10 October 2011.’

 
This provides for a temporary cessation of the training and roll-out of SBD on any further rounds across Australia until Monday 24 October 2011 and for a review as to whether SBD provides any cost savings, and whether the serious health and safety concerns of the posties can be satisfied.

 
Many posties continue to be ‘stood-down’ and need to be supported.  We hope during the 2 week ‘peace deal’ that their situations will be resolved.

Please come to the Fund-raiser planned at the MUA Hall 

(46 Ireland St, West Melbourne) on Saturday October 15 

between 5pm – 10pm.  

This will be an opportunity to fully discuss Separate Bundle Delivery and to plan its demise, as well as have a good time together.

Joan Doyle
Secretary
Communication Workers Union
Postal & Telecommunications Branch Victoria 

9600 9100

ZERO Separate Bundle Delivery

On Thursday 29 September, Ahmed Fahour, CEO of Australia Post and Dan Dwyer, Federal Secretary of the Union convened an “Employees Feedback” forum on SBD.

Management nominated 10 posties and the Union nominated 11 posties to attend.

All posties were critical of SBD, and Ahmed was left in no doubt about the safety problems, the poor customer service and the added costs involved. 

Management were hoping to save half an hour a round, but it seems that it is costing more money than previously.

Ahmed agreed that there was no point in introducing a new system that was not safe and that cost more.  He agreed to work to resolve the problems.

Ahmed was prepared to talk about stopping the roll-out with his managers.  Ahmed also said he wanted people back to work. Unfortunately, the offer had a sting in the tail – the 45 posties who have been stood down have been told they can do normal “single” bundle delivery only if they move to other facilities.  This is despite the fact that their rounds are being done by casuals, managers, relievers from other Centres in the “normal” manner. 

Australia Post is trying to ‘punish’ people for refusing to perform unsafe work.

Stood-down relievers have agreed to go to other sites as required by their Work Level Standards.  The others are considering their rights.

A management-union meeting has been arranged for Tuesday, 4 October 2011 and will hopefully progress all issues.

A Big Thank you for all the donations and workplace collections for the Welfare Fund to make sure the ‘stood-down posties’ are not in financial distress.

 Authorised by: Joan Doyle Branch Secretary