Double Time Doubt For Delivery Drivers

Australia Post workers are up in arms over management’s plans to double the time posties can spend delivering mail during their shifts.

The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (NSW Postal and Telecommunications Branch) says it has collected thousands of signatures from Australia Post workers protesting the move - including some 2,000 from NSW alone.

Currently outdoor delivery workers spend about four hours sorting the mail and then four hours on motorcycles letterboxing it.

But incident levels from time spent on the road are already through the roof and many workers say the four-hour stints are all they can take, according to CPSU Branch Organiser Michael Etue.

He says extra time spent on the bikes could have a major impact on workers' muscular skeletal systems, with injuries to the back and arms posing the greatest risk. Bumping up and down on the bikes commonly causes these injuries, he says, adding that extreme weather conditions and road accidents can also pose significant risks.

And if the plans do go ahead, delivery workers won't be the only ones with their health on the line, Etue says.

He says mail sorters may then be expected to work from 1am to 9am to get the post ready for the morning shift. This, he says, could have numerous negative impacts, including repetitive strain injury, fatigue, relationship breakdowns and stress on families.

Health experts are currently examining the situation to determine the full extent of possible health and safety impacts.

The union will discuss the issues with Australia Post members during a mass meeting on 11 June and will take direction from them.

The meeting is scheduled for 2pm 11 June at Trades and Labor Hall, Goulburn Street, Sydney.

To comment on this or any other article appearing on UnionSafe, please visit out discussion forum, Shoptalk.

© 2002 UNIONSAFE
This site is sponsored by the Workcover Authority of NSW for Labor Council of NSW

Site designed and engineered by Social Change Online [credits]
This page: http://unionsafe.net.au/news/105391212332309.html
Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:38 EST