Postal union says extending pandemic measures would put jobs and delivery service at risk

The union representing the nation’s posties says extending pandemic measures would put jobs and delivery services at risk.

The union representing the nation’s posties says Australia Post is using the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to “slash services and axe jobs”.

Communications union CEPU said the country’s postal service was pushing to extend “temporary” measures introduced during the pandemic beyond June 30. It claims the measures amount to cost-cutting tactics tabled to a Senate inquiry into Australia Post that detailed slashing delivery services, closing retail premises and privatising parts of the company.

CEPU says Australia Post’s plea to retain COVID-19 measures will put jobs at risk and affect delivery times. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Luis Ascui

CEPU president Shane Murphy said extending COVID-19 measures was a “cynical” move by management to degrade workers’ rights.

“When the global pandemic reached local shores, Australia Post moved to cut its service offerings and wind back employee provisions,” he said.

“It’s disgraceful that Post now intends to exploit the crisis and extend these temporary measures beyond June 30.”

CEPU president said the measures were setting Australia Post up for privatisation.

Mr Murphy warned the measures were a guise to one day privatise Australia Post.

CEPU representatives are appearing at the Senate inquiry into Australia Post on Tuesday morning.

Originally published as Postal union says extending pandemic measures would put jobs and delivery service at risk