Union rallies over proposed changes to Australia Post
The CWU Assistant Secretary, Martin O’Nea, told a rally in Newcastle today that jobs will be lost in the Hunter region in NSW, and services will be more expensive, under proposed changes to Australia Post.
Signatures were collected on a national petition as part of the "Hands Off Aussie Post" campaign at the rally in Newcastle.
The proposed changes include a two-speed service for stamped mail and the transfer of regional mail sorting to metro centres.
The union's Martin O'Nea said the community is concerned and angry. "There are a number of concerns including the slashing of current services, people paying up to 42% more for less service and the major on jobs impact in regional centres," he said.
"Australia Post’s preference would be processing in metro areas only.” "We'd be expecting thousands of job losses over a couple of years."
The union said the community does not support the proposed changes, including slower mail delivery. Mr O'Nea said the workers believe the proposals are part of a plan to privatise Australia Post.
"We've been having rallies in a number of areas, particularly regional areas," he said. "People are lining up to sign our petitions.”
"People view it as their Australia Post, not the CEO's Australia Post, not Malcolm Turnball's Australia Post.”
"It belongs to the people of Australia."
