Picketing action to support CEPU (Communications, Electrical and Postal Union) shop steward Peter Vining continued today at the Fitzroy Delivery Centre.

During today’s action the Chairperson and President of the Atherton Gardens Residents Association visited the picket. The Residents Association together with Councilor Steve Jolly and Union Solidarity proposed a B.B.Q with the Australian Post workers at the delivery centre for Wednesday 1st of February at 1pm.

Peter Vining was sacked before Christmas for allegedly upsetting a customer. A Board of Reference was convened on 5 January 2006 to review the decision to terminate Mr Vining's employment. The following day the Chairman of the Board of Reference decided that the dismissal was harsh. However Peter was a transfered to a lower level, in Australia Post, a Mail Officer at the Melbourne Parcel Facility (MPF).

According to Jennifer Porter, Corporate Lawyer for Australia Post

"The CEPU objected to the transfer to MPF and asked the Chairman of the Board to reconvene the Board to reconsider Australia Post’s decision. The Chairman invited the parties to address him on the issue and Australia Post submitted that custom and practice is that a transfer means a transfer to another facility. The Chairman declined the CEPU’s request to reconvene the Board in the knowledge that Mr Vining was to be transferred to another facility."

So a delegate gets sacked on verbal evidence that the union has always contested. The union is prevented from taking industrial action due to legal threats and falls back internal mechanisms. Even chairman of the Board of Reference decided that the dismissal was harsh. However based on evidence presented Peter Vining is busted down to lower job in a different workplace. The union is now expected to cop it sweet and not complain.

The sacking of militants in Australia Post and the open harassment and legal threats against the CEPU is in violation of international human rights. It's important that all unions oppose and are seen to be opposing this fundamental attack on workers democratic rights.

If you are in a position please attend and advertise this event.

Solidarity B.B.Q. with Australia Post Workers
Australia Post Delivery Centre
Cnr. Gore & Argyle Sts, Fitzroy.
1pm Wednesday, Feburary 1.

Please keep visiting the website as further solidarity action to reinstate Peter Vining to his former position are in the pipeline.

Labels: Australia Post, Community Assemblies, Peter Vining