Vic: Mail may be jeopardised by postie walk out

AAP General News (Australia)
08-11-2000
Vic: Mail may be jeopardised by postie walk out

MELBOURNE, Aug 11 AAP - Mail deliveries across Melbourne suburbs may be jeopardised
today after posties walked off the job this morning.

The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union said workers at four delivery centres
- Moorabbin, Moonee Ponds, Burwood and Heidelberg West - had gone home for the day at
8am.

CEPU communications division secretary Jim Tudehope (Tudehope) said the delivery centres
covered a wide catchment area and mail deliveries across the suburbs could be affected.

Mr Tudehope said the dispute was over union access to work sites which he alleged had
been illegally restricted by Australia Post management.

The dispute flared earlier this week when a union organiser went to the St Kilda mail
centre to inspect time books but was denied access, he said.

Mr Tudehope said a number of workers walked off for two hours after the incident.

But a spokeswoman for Australia Post Linda Giddy said the mail authority was surprised
by the allegations because it had provided union access in accordance with the provisions
of the Workplace Relations Act.

She also said workers had only walked out at Moorabbin and Moonee Ponds.

"A small number of posties have gone on strike at Moorabbin and Moonee Ponds delivery
centres," she said.

"Australia Post will make every effort to ensure that there is minimal disruption to
mail deliveries."

Australia Post has asked the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to intervene
in the dispute at 12.30pm.

AAP hmg/jlw/cjh

KEYWORD: MAIL

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.