Australia Post workers across the country will take part in industrial action today, which is set to continue for at least 24 hours with the possibility of a strike on Christmas Eve.
The strikes will take place in NSW, SA, QLD and WA today, with a strike in VIC expected tomorrow alongside a meeting of the state’s postal workers.
But despite the fear of industrial action on Christmas Eve, Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union president Ed Husic has said the chances of such an event are “highly unlikely”.
The union has been seeking a new enterprise agreement with Australia Post since April, but Husic has said it is no closer to a new deal. The dispute came to a head earlier this month, when the union announced it would allow mail to be sent through without stamps – effectively allowing free postage.
A strike last week came after postal workers were allegedly threatened with pay cuts, but Australia Post has denied any such allegation.
Delays were experienced on 15-16 December, but Australia Post said the union had broken its vow not to disrupt mail in the Christmas period. However, Husic said in a statement the strike action was a “last resort”.
“This is a move of last resort after Australia Post refused to move since April on modest claims for improved job security, better workplace safety and protection of take home pay.”
“Our members know Christmas is a special time and they are conscious of limiting the public impact – which is why we have elected for the free mail days. This action could affect 70 million Christmas cards and revenue of $35 million, according to Australia’s Post’s own predictions of mail volume during this period.”
The union has said it expects about a quarter of Australia Post staff to strike, which could amount to up to 9,000 workers nation-wide.
Australia Post has said it has put contingencies into place in order to minimise the impacts of the strike, including the use of casual staff workers.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
