MEMBER ASSISTANCE FUND
Earlier this year, the Branch Committee of Management established a member assistance fund to provide urgent assistance to members located in areas devastated by flood inundation.
Thousands of families were displaced and that devastation has continued again recently. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by these extraordinary events.
The fund remains open to those members who need assistance following this most recent downpour.
A special online form has been developed to make it as quick and simple as possible for members to apply to benefit from this fund.
Click here to access this form and make a request, now.
EMPLOYER ASSITANCE
The CWU welcomes the continued assistance provided by major industry employer groups, Australia Post and Telstra, who confirmed that members impacted by this tragic disaster will continue to receive their wages, without impacting on existing leave balances.
Australia Post will provide to affected direct permanent and fixed-term employees of the Australia Post Group, contractors and licensees (and employees and subcontractors of contractors and licensees):
- A Natural Disaster Support Payment of up to $2000 to assist with food, clothing and/or short term accommodation for yourself and your immediate family
Australia Post will provide to direct permanent and fixed-term employees of the Australia Post Group:
- Natural Disaster Leave where eligible employees have the option to apply to take time away from the workplace for up to 4 weeks, to deal with the impacts of the natural disaster, without loss of salary or the deduction of leave credits.
The purpose of taking time off work should be to ensure the safety of your family, pets, livestock and property. This entitlement will be calculated on your average salary earnings, and will count as service for all purposes.
To access any of the above, complete the relevant Natural Disaster Support Application Form and submit it to your people leader. The form is located on the HR Manual Tools and Resources page on Isaac or you can ask your people leader.
Community Service Leave is also available at Australia Post for members of a State Emergency Service, firefighting service, search and rescue unit or similar service involved in protecting the safety of people, animals and property; or if you have been asked by the volunteer service to assist with a natural disaster or emergency situation.
Telstra will provide:
- Up to four weeks paid accommodation
- Cash advances for urgent food and clothing
- If you are asked not to attend work, or if you can’t safely make it to work because of flooding, Telstra will pay you as though you did
- Paid disaster leave for the immediate protection of life and property
- Paid carers’ leave to provide care or support to a member of your immediate family or household who is sick or injured
- Paid volunteer leave for those volunteering with emergency response groups (For example, the SES)
To access any of the above, please engage with your people leader.
The CWU is calling on all other industry employers to provide similar support benefits to their affected employees.
In the meantime, should you require any further information, advice or assistance with any of the above, please contact your Branch Official on (02) 9893 7822, (07) 3255 0440 or (08) 8443 7389.
Yours faithfully,
SHANE MURPHY
BRANCH SECRETARY
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