Australia Post faces the threat of strike action in a long-running pay dispute after an independentbody allowed postal unions to proceed with a ballot later in September.
Up to 20,000 Australia Post employees could take part in the ballot from September 14. Ifthey back industrial action, then 48-hour strikes could hit the country’s postal sector, the AAPnews agency reported.
Earlier in the week, Australia Post decided to award its staff a 4% pay rise with immediateeffect as the first instalment of a 12% increase over two-and-a-half years, plus a $500 performanceaward.
Rod McDonald, Australia Post’s group manager, corporate human resources, said the company hadbeen negotiating with unions for a year without being able to reach a deal. The 12% offer was fairand above-inflation, he stressed. “The CEPU’s decision to seek strike action is a clear indicationthat they have no intention of returning to the negotiating table any time soon,” he commented.
The CEPU reportedly wants a 5% rise in the first year as part of a settlement. The AustralianIndustrial Relations Commission (AIRC) has now given permission for the CEPU to carry out the vote.
