CWU posties secure improved services and job security as Federal Government announces significant reform
The CWU is today welcoming the collaboration that has led to the development of a new way of working at Australia Post which will improve postal delivery services to our communities, whilst securing our posties’ jobs into the future.
CWU delivery members have been significantly involved in developing this new model, which allows posties to meet their changing day-to-day workloads without feeling like they’re constantly falling behind – delivering better service outcomes for our communities.
Trials of the new model have consistently realised an increase of 20% to daily parcel volumes being delivered per round by corporate posties. The model also eliminates local backlogs and is proving to be a safer way to work – with members reporting a significant reduction in work-related fatigue.
Importantly, these outcomes have been achieved with continuing to have one postie, allocated to one round, delivering five-days per week. The feedback from members at trial sites across the country has been overwhelmingly positive.
Today, off the back of the consultation process it initiated earlier this year, the Federal Government has announced postal delivery reform following its consideration of submissions from the public, along with outcomes achieved through the trials.
This reform will allow the new delivery model to be rolled-out nationally, where it is appropriate to do so.
This outcome represents a completely different approach to the previous Government’s failed attempt to ‘reform’ Australia Post, by using the cover of the pandemic to cut jobs and services. Right from the get-go, posties who actually perform the work have had a real voice at the table, rather than being dictated to by those have never worked a day in the job.
From the model’s concept development, all the way through to the local trials currently occurring across the country, real local posties have had a real say in shaping the future of our national delivery service.
This is good news all around – instead of a cost-cutting ‘reform’ exercise that attacks jobs and services, we have secured improved services for our communities, whilst guaranteeing members’ job security.
It is an outcome that really delivers – for workers, for the community, for Australia Post and for the taxpayer.
Your Union will continue to engage in consultation with Australia Post to finalise an agreed approach to a national roll-out of the new model.
We will keep members in delivery updated as that process progresses. Until then, no further roll-out of the model is to be undertaken at any other workplace.
In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the efforts of CWU members, who have all played a significant role in this process. From those that joined us at the development stage on the National Working Group, right down to those who continue to play an active role in tweaking the localised versions of the model through their working groups at the workplace level – I congratulate each and every one of you on your efforts.
Your achievements are not to be understated. Together, as a Union, our members are delivering the service improvements our communities are demanding and securing thousands of important local jobs for now, and for generations to come.
In the meantime, should you require any further information, please reach out to your state Branch Official for assistance.
Yours faithfully,
GREG RAYNER
NATIONAL SECRETARY
The above video is a quick wrap-up of posties’ experience trialling the new model out at Neapean Delivery Facility, in western Sydney.
