It is with regret that I report to members of the tragic incident involving a police shooting and the death of a part time permanent postal service officer, Steven Hodge at Warners Bay Post Office (Newcastle) late yesterday afternoon.
Steven was employed by Australia Post for the past 20 years and was aged 51. He was also a member of the Union.
Police, Comcare and Australia Post are undertaking separate investigations into the incident that will also be subject to a Coroner’s Inquiry .
The senior management group have been co-operating in providing myself with all relevant details that becomes available. Australia Post are providing support and counselling services for all employees affected.
The Union will continue with its own inquiry into this workplace death.
This is a sad day for Australia Post and for all our postal members.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Steven’s mother to who he lives with, family, friends, our local retail members who have been subjected to this ordeal and of course the responding police officers and the local community.
Today is in fact R U OK? Day which is a national day of action encouraging people to ask that tough question – are you ok?
Obviously Steven was not ok yesterday afternoon.
It is important that we all do more to raise awareness about mental health issues within our community.
And the more resources and support available to help people who are struggling with mental health issues – the better.
Yours faithfully,
JIM METCHER
BRANCH SECRETARY
Comments are closed.
