Australia Post’s claim that they have successfully rolled out SBD to over 700 rounds across the country is not true.  Information reported by members around the country have not even half that number of rounds converted to SBD. 

Similarly, Post are claiming Posties are having positive experiences using SBD – well we keep searching and haven’t been able to find any Postie supporting SBD, where the continued implementation of SBD by  Post is a real cause of great concern to Posties in respect of their safety.

Over the past two weeks there have been incidents and injuries reported across Australia involving Posties on all modes of delivery under SBD.

Even Australia Post’s preferred medical practitioners (FNDs) have advised Posties as patients to not perform SBD mail delivery duties.

In Queensland an FND has laid the blame for neck pain experienced by a Postie firmly on recent changes to the delivery process, i.e. SBD.

In Tasmania, an Australia Post doctor reported that a Postie referred to him cannot perform SBD duty because it will exacerbate his osteoarthritis – while maintaining there are no problems with single bundle delivery.

In South Australia a Postie collided with a large table that had been located near a footpath whilst conducting SBD on a motorcycle.

Another Postie in Queensland suffered a serious injury whilst being trained on SBD.   This Postie’s motorcycle collided with an electricity box and the Postie suffered a broken leg.  Another Queensland Postie using SBD was backed over by a car coming out of a driveway.

Around the country Posties are completing P400 Incident Report Forms on problems associated with SBD, despite pressure from management not to complete P400 Incident Report forms.

Meanwhile many Posties across Australia are refusing to perform SBD duties for safety reasons.  Some of these Union members remain stood down on no pay while others have been permitted to return to work and perform traditional single bundle delivery.

The union is presently seeking an injunction against the member stand-downs by Australia Post where legal proceeding have commenced and the matters are presently before the Federal Court.

If Australia Post attempts to introduce the SBD system at your workplace, you should contact the CEPU SBD Campaign hotline on 1800 102 360 immediately for further advice.

To read the health and safety experts’ findings on what’s wrong with SBD refer to the Shaw Report which is available here – or by contacting your CEPU official.

CEPU SBD CAMPAIGN HOTLINE

1800 102 360