Firstly, a big thank you to the thousands of members in NSW who participated in action to date.

The action today may not have resolved the 3 year long dispute with Australia Post and their failings to resolve the impasse that is preventing a new fair EBA7, but the stoppage has at least enabled for members and the Union to get the important message out into the wider community that there is something seriously wrong within Australia Post.

I don’t have to remind you of the arrogance demonstrated by the senior management or the fear, bullying and intimidation that members are facing in a lot of workplaces on a daily basis. It is a very sad situation indeed that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

We have always predicted that this dispute may not be resolved with one or two stoppages of work, and that we will have to work hard to get a fair outcome.

If we thought this dispute could be resolved earlier we would have done so instead of stepping up to the plate during this most sensitive time of the year.

The protest rally today in Sydney was well attended by 1000 members and again presented the opportunity for ordinary mums and dad workers of Australia Post to make a statement in the full view of the wider community and more importantly a message was delivered to Australia Post of their workforce saying enough is enough with the present management regime.

The overwhelming majority of members have taken a stand and lost income by participating in the partial bans and stoppages to date.

But it has cost Australia Post a lot more in revenue and direct costs in keeping the limited operations moving but more so significant costs to the reputation on how Australia Post management treat their staff and the nations postal service in terms of neglect with what once was an affordable, reliable and quality service.

Protest Rally Overwhelmingly Supports Proper and Reasonable Recommendation

The protest rally today overwhelming supported a recommendation of no further disruptions to the postal service until Xmas.  You can view this recommendation by clicking here: Protest Rally Recommendation.

I am sure that you would join together and be supportive of the statements made in this recommendation. Not only are the statements that were made being proper and reasonable in the circumstances, it presents a true reflection on the goodwill of the membership directed to the community of postal users and not that of the Australia Post management.

Therefore, there will be no further encouragement from your Union to engage in stoppages up until Xmas but such protected industrial action notices shall remain in force where any action that may be taken by members on a voluntary basis remains protected under law .

All members are therefore encouraged to return to work from midnight tonight

Protected industrial action notices are also in place and notified to Australia Post for stoppages between Xmas and New Year being 29 and 30 December 2009.

If members choose on a voluntary basis to engage in stoppages for their ordinary shift on either or both of these dates then this action is also protected under law albeit as you all know without pay.

Early in the New Year, the Union will recommence further consultation with the membership about the next stage of the campaign to secure a new EBA7 that provides for protection with security-safety-pay.

Can I again personally thank you for your sacrifice to date in being prepared to lose income in fighting for your rights@work.

If members require further information then please contact your allocated Branch Official directly.

May I wish you and your family a very Happy Xmas and safe New Year, and look forward in working with you throughout the New Year to obtain a just outcome that is deserving for all our members within Australia Post.

Yours in Unity,

JIM METCHER
BRANCH SECRETARY