A community picket in support of CEPU (Communications, Electrical and Postal Union) shop steward Peter Vining continued this week at the Fitzroy Delivery Centre in Melbourne.During the action on Friday the Chairperson and President of the Atherton Gardens Residents Association visited the picket. The Residents Association together with Socialist Party Councillor for the area Steve Jolly proposed a joint B.B.Q with the Australian Post workers and the Union Solidarity run picket.

Peter Vining was sacked before Christmas for allegedly upsetting a customer. The CEPU took the case to the Federal Court where it was determined that Peter had his employment unlawfully terminated. The court ordered that he be reinstated in his former position.

Australia Post has failed to abide by the court order and whilst reinstating him have instructed him that he must move to another workplace.

This move by Australia Post is in complete violation of the Federal Court’s decision and is in keeping with Australia Post’s agenda of targeting union members who are in active opposition to their strategy to close local distribution centres in favour of ’supercentres’ (amongst other things).

The sacking of militants in Australia Post and the open harassment and legal threats against the CEPU is backed up by Howard’s new IR laws. It’s important that all unions oppose and are seen to be opposing this fundamental attack on workers democratic rights.

The Socialist Party calls on all local residents and trade union activists to attend and advertise this event widely.

Details:

Solidarity B.B.Q. with Australia Post Workers

Australia Post Delivery Centre

Cnr. Gore & Argyle Sts, Fitzroy.

1pm Wednesday, Feburary 1.

Please keep visiting both this website and the unionsolidarity.org website for further rerports about this dispute.