Australia Post's major change during COVID pandemic
Australia Post is set to only deliver every second day in metropolitan areas in a major change sparked by a dramatic increase in deliveries.
Most days during the coronavirus pandemic have been as busy as Christmas, according to 7News, with posties delivering 26 million more packages than this time last year.
The drop in delivery days comes after Australia Post reached a deal with the union to secure jobs for posties throughout the duration of the pandemic.
No posties, or other directly affected employees, will be made redundant involuntarily during the period of the agreement, which expires in August next year.
There will also be no protected or unprotected industrial action during the period.
Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate said the agreement would provide certainty as coronavirus impacts the business.
"No posties will be removed from the delivery service and we have been encouraged by the strong response from people wanting to move across to parcel delivery," she said on Tuesday.
She said the union also had acknowledged it was necessary to temporarily switch letter deliveries to every second day to safeguard the business.
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CEPU communications union national president Shane Murphy said it was a win for workers on the front line of the pandemic.
"This agreement will ensure no posties are removed from the delivery employment mix - something we have fought hard for - protecting jobs and improving parcel delivery services to our communities," he said.
Staff working in processing and transporting mail under temporary delivery changes will also have their jobs protected.
Frontline workers will be paid a "thank you" bonus in recognition of the extra effort and risk during the pandemic.
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