The CEPU has welcomed today’s move by Senators Steve Fielding (Family First) and Dana Wortley (ALP) to set up a special Senate inquiry to investigate concerns that Australia Post has been forcing its injured staff back to work well before they have recovered from workplace injuries.

“This is a tremendous move, which will help put a massive spotlight on unsafe work practices at Australia Post,” said CEPU National President Ed Husic.

“The CEPU has been pushing for an end to these unsafe systems of work since 2006 – but the establishment of this Inquiry by Senators Steve Fielding and Dana Wortley provides an incredible boost for our campaign to protect postal workers from a sick system.”

In a Senate Estimates hearing last week, Senator Fielding raised a series of questions about the way Australia Post’s company paid doctors are being used to push injured workers back to work – even after family doctors have told these workers to rest and recover.

“Post’s system is aimed at producing healthy stats – not healthy workers – and the Inquiry that Senator Fielding has called for will give us a chance to highlight this,” Mr Husic said.

“The ugliest flaw in this system is this: the more Australia Post reduces its Lost Time Injury rates and workers compensation liabilities, the bigger the pay bonuses for its managers.  It’s simply disgraceful to trade safety for money in this way.”

CEPU NSW  State Secretary Jim Metcher has spearheaded the union campaign to end the use of company doctors at Australia Post (see www.cashforcompo.org.au).

“Australia Post – as a self-insurer – has a major interest in reducing its workers compensation liabilities, which is why they contract a network of doctors to take a look at any injured postal worker,” said Mr Metcher.  “Not surprisingly for every ten workers that is forced to go to one of these doctors, nine are sent back to work.

“Australia Post workers are forced to see these company doctors, then they’re forced to go back to work early and then Post uses this to deny workers compensation liability.  It’s sick.

“Australia Post admits that its managers are pocketing cash bonuses for reducing lost time injury statistics.   We’ve continually asked Post to stop risking our members’ wellbeing through this system.  Not only do they refuse to do this – but they tell us they are proud of this system.

“We agree with Senator Fielding: a Senate inquiry is urgently needed to make sure Australia Post employees’ wellbeing is protected.  We need to bring these issues out into the open and this Inquiry will give our members the opportunity to tell their stories about the treatment they’ve had to endure."