Australia Post strike delayed
A planned strike by Australia Post staff tomorrow has been delayed in hope an 11th-hour agreement can be reached. A negotiator from the ACTU will hold meetings with Australia Post Wednesday(18th) and Thursday(19th). Communications, Electrical and Plumbers Union Cairns spokesman Mark Wilson said the members were hopeful the ACTU negotiator could help get a sound outcome without a walkout. “That would be great. We would prefer that to striking,” Mr Wilson said. The planned industrial action was to be the second strike since May in a bid for more pay and better working conditions. Up to 50 posties plus counter staff had planned to walk off the job for 24 hours from early Wednesday. Unions have concerns over pay, jobs being made casual, franchising of retail outlets and a delivery system it says sees posties on the road for too long each day. During the May strike, the union was asking for a 10 per cent pay rise over 30 months, which was granted but without backpay to February when the last agreement expired.