Award update - Licensees in limbo

POAAL has late today received an official response from the Fair Work Commission regarding the Postal Services Industry Award.The Commission has stated that since the CEPU – the union representing employees in the postal sector - has withdrawn the application to modernise the Award, "the Commission proposes to take no further action on the matter and to close its file."It is a great shame that the actions of other parties have led to the Award's demise, meaning that staff costs for hundreds of Licensees could now increase.The Postal Services Industry Award, which was negotiated by POAAL and had served the LPO sector well, had a casual loading of 20% and no minimum call-out for casual employees. The General Retail Award, for example, has a minimum call-out of three hours and a casual loading of 25%.POAAL had done its absolute best to preserve these award conditions, and following discussions with POAAL the union submitted a draft award to the Commission that included no minimum call-out for casual employees. However, the hearing scheduled for the beginning of July was disrupted by another group.POAAL contacted the Commission this evening to confirm exactly when the Award ceases to exist and when other awards might take effect. We are awaiting the Commission's response.POAAL will continue to keep Licensees informed via our email newsletters.Licensees who are paid-up members of POAAL can access free over-the-phone industrial relations advice from Workforce Guardian. Just ring 1300 781 299 and have your POAAL membership details (including membership number) handy. (Service operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm AEST.)