Postal workers to vote
By Barry Healy
SYDNEY — Postal workers around Australia will decide this month whether to accept an enterprise agreement recommended by the Communication Workers Union Federal Executive and Australia Post.
The agreement contains a number of significant changes to conditions in exchange for an 8% pay rise.
The deal would allow managers to vary workers' time between six and 10 hours on any particular day without overtime payment, eliminate the additional recreation leave presently allowed to shift workers and severely restrict industrial action.
The 8% pay rise will be paid in full only if certain productivity targets are met; only 3% is actually guaranteed, and then only if all national pay rises are forgone for 18 months.
Opposition has flared to the loss of conditions associated with the deal, and detailed Vote No leaflets are being circulated by some NSW CWU organisers and union activists.