About 40 people attended a rally to defend sacked CEPU shop steward Peter Vining outside the Federal Court building in Williams St Melbourne (Friday 3 February). In a hopeful development Australia Post and the CEPU are going to enter into mediation over the sacking and forceful transfer of Peter Vining and as a consequence Federal Court proceedings were called off. We hope that the offer of mediation by Australia Post is a genuine gesture to resolve the issue. Only time will tell.

Peter Vining was sacked late last year for allegedly telling off a costumer. The CEPU have vigorously contested the verbal evidence used against Peter Vining. Although Australia Post have denied a policy of “targeting union members” the CEPU have presented a compelling case to back up the following statement.

“We are alleging that the management have colluded to ‘get rid of’ a strong and effective shop steward.”

The CEPU have sort to get justice for Peter Vining, who was sacked then later transferred to a lower ranked job in a different centre, in the Industrial Relations Commission, the Federal Court and the internal Board of Reference. Union Solidarity and other union and community activists staged two peaceful assemblies outside the Fitzroy Delivery Centre, solidarity BBQ and last Friday’s rally outside the Federal Court.

Background Fear and Intimidation | Australia Post at it again | Community Assembly to protect delegates job | Action continues | Rally to defend Peter Vining | GreenLeft Article

Labels: Australia Post, Community Protest, Peter Vining