Labor National Conference delegates Jim
Metcher and Susan Sheather from within the
CEPU have received support from Federal
Labor’s supreme governing body, the
‘National ALP Conference’, and Minister
Conroy for a Federal Government Inquiry into
Australia Post’s treatment of its sick and
injured employees.
Following negotiations between the Federal
Government and the CEPU the National ALP
Conference voted on a resolution agreeing to
the inquiry. The Conference noted with
concern the way Post workers are being
treated. The full resolution is listed
below;
|
45th Australian Labor Party
National Conference. 31 July
2009
Resolution 101R—Chapter 11
Mover: Jim Metcher—Seconder:
Susan Sheather
“Conference notes with
seriousness the growing number
of reports that are critical of
the way
Australia Post manages the
claims and cases of sick and
injured employees who sustain
work-related injuries.
Conference is concerned that
through various measures by Post
management—including the use of
Facility Nominated
Doctors—employees’ rights to
workers compensation
entitlements and workplace
rehabilitation are being
undermined.
Conference further notes with
concern the claims of Australia
Post misappropriating the powers
available to it under section 89
of the Australian Postal
Corporation Act 1989 by making a
determination that deliberately
creates a legal conflict with
provisions set out under the
Safety, Rehabilitation and
Compensation Act 1988 and the
industrial instruments for the
purpose of accepting liability
for injuries sustained in the
workplace and/or the management
of sick and injured employees.
Conference therefore resolves
that the Federal Government
undertake an immediate
independent inquiry into these
alarming circumstances. The
inquiry should consider whether
the Australian Postal
Corporation Act 1989 needs to be
amended.” |
CEPU NSW Branch Secretary Jim Metcher said
“we’re pleased that the Union’s long
standing call for an Inquiry into Australia
Post has now been sanctioned by the Federal
Government.
“The Inquiry into Post’s treatment of its
sick and injured workers is necessary to
highlight and - more so - remove the
inappropriate conduct against sick and
injured employees by
Australia Post involving their company
Facility Nominated Doctors (FND).
Mr Metcher labelled the inappropriate
conduct a scam;
Ø “whereby
employees are failing to receive their
rights to workers compensation entitlements
or having limited access to proper workplace
rehabilitation arrangements to recover from
medical conditions caused from workplace
injuries;
Ø purposely
designed by Australia Post senior management
to limit records and liability associated
with loss time injuries sustained in the
workplace that creates false report cards on
workplace health and safety;
Ø being
supported by a culture that rewards managers
with cash bonus incentives as a share of the
savings achieved in reducing the costs
associated with sick and injured workers
receiving their rights and entitlements;
Ø compelling
sick and injured workers to attend company
paid doctors when notifying an injury or the
employee suffers the consequences with
disciplinary action.”
Mr Metcher further
claimed “the role of the company doctors in
the scam is to provide medical reports to
Australia Post for the purpose of
determining workers compensation claims
against liability for loss time injuries
that resulted in employees forced to utilise
their accrued unused personal leave
entitlements or access taxpayer funded
sickness benefits for survival and treatment
of medical conditions as a result of their
workplace injuries.”
Mr Metcher said
“the scam is ‘Cash for Compo’ and it needed
to stop now!”
Mr Metcher concluded saying; “discussions
will be held with the Federal Government
over coming days on the arrangements for the
Federal Government Inquiry to commence and
conclude to enable its findings and report
to be made as soon as practicable to ensure
that no more sick and injured workers and
their families fall victim to the scam”
Members are encouraged to visit the campaign
website for more information at
www.cashforcompo.org.au
