NSW: Aust posties walk off job in city dispute
SYDNEY, Feb 19 AAP - Australia Post delivery staff walked off the job in Sydney's centrethis morning, causing mail delays for hundreds of businesses.
The walk-out was part of an ongoing dispute over new technology and a reduction inthe number of mail rounds at Australia Post's City Street Delivery Centre (CSDC).
Australia Post said it was seeking urgent orders from the Australian Industrial RelationsCommission (AIRC) directing staff not to engage in industrial action.
"We will be seeking commission orders to return staff to work as soon as possible tominimise the impact on our CBD customers," Australia Post spokeswoman Elizabeth Rich said.
At 6am (AEDT) today AIRC Senior Deputy Vice-President Lea Drake visited the sortingcentre along with union and company representatives, in an attempt to further understandthe ongoing dispute, sparked by the recent introduction of new mail-sorting technology.
The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) called a stop work meetingafter the AIRC visit, leading a short time later to the strike action, Ms Rich said.
"We are doing everything we can under difficult circumstances to deliver as much mailas possible," she said.
"But clearly there will be disruptions to our service today."
AAP kbw/kp/dl/br
KEYWORD: POST
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