Couriers add to Australia Post bullying claims

Mail couriers have added their voices to the growing chorus of disgruntled Australia Post contractors, claiming they too are being squeezed dry and treated heavy-handedly by the postal giant.

The ABC News Online Investigative Unit last week reported claims by corner-shop post offices that they are being bullied and forced to work at "sweatshop" rates in the booming parcels business that yielded $170.8m in profits for Australia Post last financial year.

Since that report, more than 60 Australia Post contractors have contacted the ABC to say they had been bullied by Australia Post, felt powerless or they were being treated unfairly.

Many were Australia Post mail couriers - both Messenger Post drivers (who take care of deliveries and much of the day-to-day logistics within Australia Post's letters division) and postal motorbike riders (who deliver many of Australia's letters door-to-door).

"I am losing money but [my manager] used legal terms of the contract to threaten me ... They're a big company but they're using these threats to push us about," one courier from New South Wales said.

Another courier claims he took on the position based on Australia Post estimates that he would earn about $1,200 for a five-day week.

He says he clears $350 per week after expenses - if he works all seven days.

"I feel really angry about the payments. I can't live on $50 a day ... my family is suffering," he said.

After the ABC's initial report, the office of Stephen Conroy, Minister for Communications, released a statement which reaffirmed Australia Post's zero tolerance policy of bullying.

"Australia Post has indicated that where there are cases of bullying and harassment it would like to hear about them," it read.

"It has a process for resolving disputes between Australia Post and Licensees which allows for matters to be resolved at the local, area, state and national level. Australia Post has zero tolerance of any form of bullying."

A group of courier drivers from Western Australia, who told the ABC that their real wage has decreased 6 per cent in the last financial year, claim their concerns are not being heard by Australia Post.

"It's not true ... We're not happy," one mail courier from Western Australia said.

"There is a real culture of denial at Australia Post."

Jim Metcher, spokesperson for CEPU, which represents workers employed in the postal industry, contends that mail couriers are pressured into accepting low remuneration.

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