Why I Support the Postal Worker’s Strike
Postal workers in Australia have gone out on strike, causing massive disruption during the busy Christmas time. And the dispute has been described by some in the business elite as the most significant industrial action in Australia since the Waterfront workers dispute in 1998.
This is a good thing and the workers should be supported in their fight for better wages.
Previously they tried to target profits without disrupting mail by sending out unstamped mail, but management disrupted this and threatened to dock worker’s pay.
After years of negotiating, greedy management have refused wage rises whilst CEO salaries continue to rise. And their greed is again shown that whilst they can’t give workers wage rises, they unsuccessfully tried to increase the price of stamps yet again. I doubt that workers would’ve seen that price rise reflected in their wages.
Business as usual means more profits whilst workers get nothing more for their hard work. That is why they need to disrupt things, and make management see that the mail doesn’t get sorted or delivered without workers. Management can turn up to their bullshit meetings but that doesn’t get anything done.
People can complain about their lives being disrupted, their mail not being delivered, but workers are not greedy or selfish for doing this, for going out on strike. They deserve higher wages. The blame should be directed squarely at the greedy and stubborn management that live well off whilst refusing every attempt for workers to gain a better standard of living.
The Communications Division of the CEPU released a statement in which they said, “It simply beggars belief that the senior management team at Australia Post take home $8 million a year in pay yet fail to prove their worth in sorting out workplace disputes of this magnitude.”
I proudly support the postal workers and all workers on strike and hope that management concede and give them their hard earned wage rise. I will support the workers fighting until they do.
Update 3.51pm: ABC News is reporting that a scab truck nearly ran over 4 picketers outside the Sunshine site and The Age is reporting that Australia Post is taking the union to Federal Court to seek an injunction because 4.1 million mail items are undelivered, contradicting earlier bullshit that the strike wasn’t having any effect.
I’m going down to the Sunshine Picket after work to lend my support and solidarity. Lucky I brought a camera with me to work today.
