Thousands of Australia Post workers will take industrial action in every state except South Australia in one of the biggest national strikes in more than 10 years.
The industrial action is part of an on-going battle between the Government-owned Australia Post and the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union.
The fight has escalated considerably in the last few weeks, approaching the busy Christmas period. Last week, the union announced work bans which meant its member would let through unstamped or underpaid mail.
The union claims that Australian Post retaliated by threatening to dock workers who let through unstamped or underpaid mail (a claim Australia Post denies) which led to today’s mass strike.
Australia Post expects 9,000 of its 35,000 staff to strike; South Australian workers will not strike today to ensure Year 12 results are mailed out, but will start industrial action tomorrow.
Australia Post has put contingencies in place to try and minimise any disruption to mail services, including using extra casual staff.
But it appears some mail delays are likely, particularly for mail sent on 15 and 16 December.
While the strike action is currently scheduled for today and tomorrow, CEPU head Ed Husic says the bans could continue on Friday and into next week.
Australia Post has accused the union of going back on its promise not to disrupt the busy Christmas period.
“What’s really happened here is that the union has gone back on their promise last week to not disrupt the mail,” Australia Post spokesman Alex Twomey told the ABC.
“They have now decided to do so, at a time when Australians need Australia Post the most. We’ll be working around the clock to ensure that people’s Christmas cards and presents go through.”
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
