Extension of weekend trading wont suit all retail workers
The unilateral announcement by Ahmed Fahour that weekend trading would be extended to six days a week in Post Offices all-year-round has many retail workers up in arms. While most are willing to help out during the Christmas period the extension of weekend trading all-year-round is for many an unwelcome intrusion into family life. “If we are forced to work Saturdays then this will have a profound negative effect on our lives.”
Your union has strongly put the view that Australia Post must call for volunteers to work. People should not be compelled to work Saturdays. Members currently working in Post Offices that are open on Saturdays are complaining that they are getting ripped off. It seems that no one is being paid HD or supervisory money even through there are 2-3 people working. Saturday work is also being done by part time employees who are not given additional hours but have a day off during the week. These issues must be addressed before any roll out of across the board opening of Post Offices on Saturdays.
Responding to questions put by the union, Australia Post senior managers said they are not sure if all Post Offices will be open Saturdays and if they will be required to open for a half or full day. Adding that they were caught out by Mr. Fahour’s public announcement, they said they needed some time to put details around the change in Post Office hours.
At a time when Australia Post is unilaterally forcing change and cutting jobs being a union member is even more important. Help yourself by signing up new members or, if you are not a union member, by joining the union yourself. Being a CWU member gives you and your work colleagues the added security of industrial protection 24 hours a day. You can contact us at CWUnion for help.
