The emerging COVID-19 pandemic is like nothing any of us have experienced in our lifetimes. And it is requiring a response that places your health and your livelihood first and foremost.
As we continue to navigate through this uncharted territory, we are engaging with Australia Post at the highest levels, daily.
As the health emergency worsens and community transmission of the virus becomes prevalent, we all have a role to play in ensuring we limit the opportunity for exposure as much as possible – to help flatten the curve.
This is important for your health and safety, that of your families, your community and Australia Post as an employer.
In line with the Federal Government’s social distancing measures, Australia Post will be implementing staggered shift commencement times for members working across some of our larger delivery centres.
By staggering members’ commencement times, we can ensure we limit the number of members working in the building and rearrange the workplace’s floorplan to allow for a minimum of 1.5 metres between each member working at their frame, at any one time.
It also allows time for important cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and equipment – crucial to minimising your risk of contracting, and spreading, the virus through potentially contaminated surfaces at your workplace.
Important facts to note about this arrangement, include:
- These new shift commencement times will begin on Monday 23 March
- Shifts will alternate, weekly, allowing fair and equal access to overtime to all members on each staggered shift
- For those who currently attract shift penalties, those shift penalties will remain in place whilst these temporary shift changes remain in place
- These arrangements will be reviewed closely, on an ongoing basis, with my direct involvement
At this point, workplaces affected by these changes include Lisarow DC, Terrigal DC, Tweed Heads South DC, Charmhaven DC, Tuggerah DC, Edgeworth DC, Metford DC, Warrabrook DC, Leightonfield DF, Strathfield DC, Kingsgrove DF, Kirrawee DC, Wollongong DC, Alexandria DF, St Leonards DF, Frenchs Forest DC, Canberra South DC, Mitchell DC, Tuggeranong DC, Nepean DF, Seven Hills DF, Ingleburn DF and Macquarie Park (North Ryde).
Affected members will receive a letter from Australia Post communicating the temporary commencement times that will be implemented at your particular workplace. If you have any genuine special circumstances related to family responsibilities, please speak with your manager to be accommodated – we are here to help if these matters cannot be resolved.
I understand your anxiety, and I understand your frustration with having to make such significant changes to your daily lives.
Considering changes like this is not easy – but we are in unprecedented times.
I cannot stress enough, the amount of fighting your Union is doing on your behalf, behind the scenes, to balance the fine line between protecting your health and safety and your take-home pay.
My team and I are committed to driving the absolute best possible outcomes for you as we all come to grips with our daily routines being turned upside down.
In the meantime, if you require any further information, please contact Branch Assistant Secretary Peter Chaloner or Branch Officials Cade Anderson, Gil Enzon, Elly Huttly, Phil Kessey, TK Ly, Liam Murphy, Peter O’Connell, Dharmpal Singh or Dennis Williams on (02) 9893 7822.
Further information on COVID-19 is available at the Department of Health’s website at: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
Yours faithfully,
SHANE MURPHY
BRANCH SECRETARY
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