Postal
Inappropriate use of Code of Ethics by Post Manager
(17 February, 2010) After Post Logistics received vigorous representation from the CEPU it has backed down from threats to take disciplinary action against members who took industrial action last December as part of the campaign for EBA7.
Just prior to Christmas Post had notified a CEPU member that they would be required to attend for a formal counselling interview “to discuss alleged behaviour on your part which is inconsistent with Australia Post’s Our Ethics”. The unsatisfactory behaviour was cited as the failure of our member to attend for work on 17 December 2009.
However, the Post manager responsible for this communication had disregarded the basic facts. Along with many other CEPU members the member subjected to this notice was taking protected industrial action on 17 December.
Not only was it inappropriate for the manager attempt discipline our member for taking protected industrial action but Post was at risk of being prosecuted for “adverse action” because our member had taken protected industrial action.
Fortunately senior management in Post Logistics understood the potential for successful legal action by the CEPU against the company and the possibility for $6600 penalty for each offence.
The result is that the threat of disciplinary action against our member by Post Logistics was withdrawn as was the threat of action against other members in Post Logistics who took protected industrial action.
Other ‘adverse action’ complaints
The CEPU is currently pursuing a number of other ‘adverse action’ complaints relating to sick leave, overtime, meal allowances and discipline issues in the mails, delivery and transport areas.
For more information, contact the CEPU via feedback@cepu.asn.au