The Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) has welcomed today’s news of a solid profit for the postal service despite declining mail volumes – saying it is a credit to the hard work of Australia Post employees and a new, collaborative approach to industrial relations from Australia Post management.
Australia Post has announced a $103 million pre-tax profit for the 2009/10 financial year; against a 4.2% decline in mail volumes.
“Australia Post’s decision to end a period of industrial conflict by consulting with unions and respecting its workforce has paid off,” said CEPU Divisional Assistant Secretary Ian Bryant.
“New Managing Director Ahmed Fahour’s approach of genuine engagement with unions and employees – which has included frank discussions about the financial position of the corporation and declining mail volumes – has been greatly appreciated by employees.”
Today’s financial results follow the strong endorsement last week of a new Fair Work Agreement (FWA) between Australia Post and the CEPU.
The key features of the FWA protect job security, in part through redeployment and retraining into new and emerging areas, as the postal service adapts to a new environment where electronic communications rapidly undermine mail volumes.
Postal workers have been reporting a decline small letter volumes for some time, which is why they supported an agreement that accepted wage restraint and focused on saving jobs, said Mr Bryant.
The Federal Government also has a role to play in supporting and protecting jobs of postal workers, he said.
“Australia Post has shown its commitment to job security in this time of flux through a $20 million fund to retrain and redeploy surplus employees due to changing conditions or restructuring.
“We call on the Federal Government to contribute to this fund as well to support workers through this time of transition.”
Media Enquiries:
Ian Bryant 0417 592 627
Jim Metcher 0418 656 262
Australia Post’s 2009-2010 Annual Report can be viewed at: http://auspost.com.au/about-us/annual-reports.html
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