The CEPU appeared before a
special Senate Inquiry in Melbourne
today, calling for an end to the way
Australia Post uses company doctors.
The Senate set up this Inquiry in
October last year. Today's hearing
comes after the initial reporting
timetable was put back a bit. The
Senate is expected to receive a
report on this issue in March.
Federal and State CEPU Officials
along with our members and legal
representatives addressed the
committee on why there must be an
end to the way that Post forces
employees to compromise themselves
by visiting company doctors.
- You can download the
CEPU's opening statement,
click here.
The CEPU argued that Australia
Post should not be able to use its
powers under section 89 of the
Australian Postal Corporation Act
to set up a workers compensation
system that no other company could
do - and we asked the Senate to
recommend that this legal loophole
be closed.
While section 89 is used to
provide terms and conditions of
employment - this is done with the
agreement of unions after negotition.
Australia Post set up its FND
system under s.89 without agreement
or warning. And it is a system that
compromises worker health and
financial position.
Australia Post, Comcare and
Injury Net were all questioned by
the Committee.
The CEPU's submission's
to the Inquiry can be found
here
