PR949138 AG812967 PR949138 Download Word Document AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION Workplace Relations Act 1996 s.170LW application for settlement of dispute Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia and Australia Post (C2004/1405) AUSTRALIA POST ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2001 (ODN AG2001/8106) [AG812967 PR913151 ] Postal services COMMISSIONER BLAIR MELBOURNE, 9 JULY 2004 Alleged dispute to employment arrangements at CSDC and Australia Post. STATEMENT / RECOMMENDATION [1] The following Statement / Recommendation was handed down after a conference which took place between the parties in Sydney on 8 July 2004. [2] The Commission, after having a conference with the parties on 8 July 2004, has formed the view that the process and direction that Australia Post has adopted is to continue. The Commission does acknowledge that this process and direction will have an impact on the availability of overtime on Sundays on a number of employees. [3] In order to assist those employees who may be affected by a reduction in overtime, the Commission would recommend that where an employee finds themselves in financial difficulty because of the reduction in overtime, financial counselling shall be provided at Australia Post's expense to assist those employees affected. [4] Further, the Commission does have some reservations about providing overtime on Sundays based on merit. It is the Commission's view that merit is a subjective issue and could be open to manipulation. Therefore, the Commission would recommend that overtime should be allocated on a roster basis until at least the next report back, which is to be conducted on 6 October 2004, overtime shall be worked based on the workload requirement not that there is a set number of people required to do the overtime. [5] Further, Australia Post are to continue with the consultative process with the Union and Australia Post employees. It is the Commission's view also that the weekly meetings between Australia Post and its employees should continue, but those meetings must provide for a two-way stream of communication. That is, from staff to management and management to staff. [6] An issue was raised during the conference regarding the alleged style of management at the delivery centre. The Commission would recommend that senior management, in consultation and conjunction with the Union, constantly monitor the ongoing relationship between employees and centre management. [7] The Commission was further advised that following the last conference, which was conducted on 22 March 2004, a three hour stoppage occurred at the centre. The parties should very clearly understand that the Commission will not accept unprotected industrial action occurring. Any further reports of unprotected industrial action may warrant the Commission issuing appropriate orders that will be prosecuted in the Federal Court. [8] Finally, there will be a further report back conference to be conducted in three months time on the progress of the changes. That conference will be conducted on 6 October 2004. BY THE COMMISSION: COMMISSIONER Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer <Price code A>