Member update: Post’s proposed payroll changes

NSW/ACT Branch Executive endorses members’opposition to Australia Post pay system changes

CEPU State Secretaries call for meeting directly with CEO over botched pay proposal

We recently wrote to inform you on Post’s proposed changes to the way you are paid and what the consequences of those changes would mean for members.

Following an overwhelming response from members in strenuous opposition to these changes, CEPU NSW/ACT Secretary Jim Metcher reported on the changes to the Branch Committee of Management (BCOM) where the following unanimous decision was taken by the Union’s executive;

AUSTRALIA POST – CONTEMPLATED PAYROLL CHANGES

“BCOM NOTES THE REPORT FROM THE BRANCH SECRETARY IN RELATION TO MEMBERSHIP FEEDBACK AGAINST THE CONTEMPLATED PAYROLL CHANGES BY AUSTRALIA POST.

BCOM RESOLVES FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITION TO BE ADOPTED BY THE BRANCH IN RELATION TO AUSTRALIA POST PAYROLL MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE AFFECTING THE NSW/ACT MEMBERSHIP:

1. PAYROLL CHANGES CONTEMPLATED BY AUSTRALIA POST IS TO BE OPPOSED BY THE NSW/ACT BRANCH WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE MAJORITY OF EMPLOYEES COVERED BY THE AUSTRALIA POST ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2013 (THE AGREEMENT); 
2. CONSENT VARIATION TO SECTION 12.1 OF THE AGREEMENT BE PURSUED BY THE UNION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRESERVING PRESENT FORTNIGHTLY PAY PERIODS UNLESS APPROVED OTHERWISE BY THE MAJORITY OF EMPLOYEES COVERED BY THE AGREEMENT;
3. PAYROLL IRREGULARITIES TO BE ADDRESSED BY AUSTRALIA POST TO ENSURE EMPLOYEES ARE RECEIVING THEIR CORRECT PAY ENTITLEMENTS AND BEING PAID ON TIME;
4. ANY UNDERPAYMENT OF PAY ENTLEMENTS IS TO BE MADE GOOD AND DEPOSITED INTO THE EMPLOYEE NOMINATED BANCK ACCOUNT WITHIN 24 HOURS OF BEING IDENTIFIED AND REPRESENTED BY THE EMPLOYEE OR THEIR UNION REPRESENTIVE ;
5. ANY OVERPAYMENT CAUSED BY ADMINISTRATION ERROR OR IRREGULARITY BY AUSTRALIA POST AND/OR THEIR PAY SYSTEMS BE DEEMED UNRECOVERABLE APART FROM SICK LEAVE ABSENCE (WITHOUT AVAILABLE SICK LEAVE) BEING RECOVERED FROM THE VERY NEXT PAY PERIOD OF WHEN SICK LEAVE OCCURRED;
6. ALL OUTSTANDING 263 NSW/ACT FORMER PON EMPLOYEE OVERPAYMENTS IDENTIDFIED FOR RECOVERY THAT ARE  PRESENTLY PLACED ON HOLD DUE TO NSWACT BRANCH SECRETARY INTERVENTION BE WAIVED AND NON RECOVERABLE;

BCOM CALLS UPON THE NSW BRANCH SECRETARY TO SEEK A MEETING WITH THE CEO OF AUSTRALIA POST FOR THE PURPOSE OF FULLFILLING THE ABOVEMENTIONED POSITION ADOPTED BY THIS BCOM AND URGES OTHER BRANCH SECRETARIES TO DO LIKEWISE ALONGSIDE WITH THE NSW BRANCH SECRETARY ACCORDINGLY.”

In accordance with this BCOM decision, an urgent meeting has been sought with Australia Post CEO Ahmed Fahour with the support of the State Secretaries of the CEPU Queensland, South Australia / Northern Territory, Tasmania and Western Australian Branches.

A copy of this request has been reproduced below and members will be advised of the outcome of these discussions on this most important payroll matter affecting CEPU members.