Post office inquiry a farce, say ill workers

BY BILL MASON

BRISBANE — A report into the mysterious concentration of illnesses at the Capalaba Post Office, south-east of the city, has been described by former workers as "superficial" and "a farce".

Up to 40 current and former Australia Post workers at Capalaba have alleged links between their workplace and medical complaints, including cancer and auto-immune diseases.

The report by Queensland Health, released in late April, concluded the most likely explanation for the various diseases was "coincidence".

Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union spokesperson Paul White said he doubted whether staff were "comforted" by the report, as Australia Post has claimed.

Up to 40 of the 53 staff who have worked full-time at the Capalaba office over the past 10 years have developed serious health problems, causing the union to call for the closure of the centre.

Tests of possible electromagnetic radiation exposure and toxic waste soil impacts have allegedly proved negative, but workers and the union are determined to act to protect the health and safety of staff.

From GLW issue 448