“NZ Post is a public service, not a cash cow”
3 May, 2013

New Zealand Post is a vital public service and there is no justification for reducing mail delivery to three days a week, says the union for postal workers, the EPMU.

The call follows claims from NZ Post that it would need Government subsidies unless it is allowed to slash mail delivery services in half.

EPMU national industry organiser Joe Gallagher says there is no need for drastic cuts to delivery.

“Any talk about subsidies at this stage is pure speculation and scaremongering. NZ Post is actually returning a profit and will continue to do so for some time even without any changes.

“We recognise NZ Post faces serious commercial pressures, but current mail volumes do not justify the drastic and damaging cuts that are being proposed. This proposal only makes sense if you believe NZ Post exists purely to return a profit.

“NZ Post is not a cash cow for the Government. It is a vital public service and any move to reduce its social obligations will face resistance from the Kiwis who rely on it to stay connected with their families, their communities and their customers.

“We are calling on the Government to listen to communities, keep NZ Post’s social obligations in place and commit to wider public consultation on any future changes.”

The EPMU’s submission to MBIE over changes to the Deed of Understanding is available at: http://www.epmu.org.nz/assets/Post/EPMU-Submission-NZ-Post-2013.pdf

A selection of quotes from the more than 250 public submissions received by the EPMU is available at: http://www.epmu.org.nz/assets/Post/Public-submissions.pdf

Australia Post has announced plans to increase prices and simplify its parcel products, as well as introducing tracking to all domestic parcels from 8th April, 2013.

The company said its price changes will not affect the basic 60c postage rate for letters.

But, prices will be adjusted for various parcel, international and bulk mail services, such as the 5% increase in the basic Parcel Post rate, and a 2.7% increase in bulk mail presort letters pricing.

Read more: Australia Post to simplify parcel products and raise prices | Post & Parcel.

A postal worker suffered burns after a parcel containing an acidic substance burst open at a sorting depot on Sydney’s north shore.A postal worker is being treated for burns to his hands after a parcel containing a highly acidic liquid broke open at a post office on Sydney’s north shore.Several other Australia Post staff were taken to Royal North Shore Hospital as a precaution after the incident at a sorting office on Rodborough Road, in Frenchs Forest on Monday morning.

Read more: NSW postal worker burned by acid in parcel | SBS World News.

Postal deliveries may be cut to three days a week under a plan put forward by New Zealand Post to ensure the company remains viable.

Communications Minister Amy Adams released a proposal from the national postal service today to allow "greater flexibility" in its services due to falling mail volumes.

NZ Post wants to change its universal service obligations, signed in 1998, which require it to deliver mail six days a week.

Read more: NZ Post to halve weekly deliveries – Story – NZ News – 3 News.

New Zealand Post has completed the delayed delivery of more than 18,000 pieces of mail allegedly stolen by a postie.

The final batch of about 2300 letters and packages was delivered on Sunday when nine NZ Post staff delivered to about 900 homes in the Queenstown area.

Spokesman Michael Tull said the delivery was "a bit of a milestone" and most of the mail had gone to the intended recipients, despite the transient nature of the town’s population.

Read more: Stolen mail delivery reaches 'milestone' – National – NZ Herald News.

Two men caused $200 worth of damage to Kenthurst Post Office on Friday after being told they couldn’t receive their mail without identification.

The men entered the store after 2pm and allegedly became violent and abusive to staff when they couldn’t take their parcel. After a short argument with staff the men pushed over a shelf and left.

Read more: Man damages Kenthurst Post Office  | Hills News.

Australia’s leading online commerce enablers, eBay, PayPal and Australia Post are forecasting this Sunday 9 December to be the busiest online shopping day ever, with more online purchases predicted from Australian websites this December than in any other month of trade.

Approximately 2.3 million Australians are expected to visit eBay.com.au on this day alone – a 26 per cent increase over last year’s Busiest Online Shopping Day (11 December 2011). Read the rest of this entry »

Top managers of New Zealand Post have touched down in Queenstown in the aftermath of the alleged actions of a postie thought to have hoarded more than 20,000 mail items.

A 32-year-old postie was arrested last Monday after missing mail, primarily from Queenstown’s Fernhill suburb, was found at her Frankton flat by police.

On Thursday, a second cache of mail, neatly organised in trays and suitcases, was found at an Arrowtown storage unit.

Read more: Mail find draws NZ Post chiefs – National News | TVNZ.

YOUR cheque is in the mail. Like ”Trust me, I’m a journalist”, this statement long ago transformed from being an expression of assurance into a euphemism for deceit.

Today – at least in the case of Australia Post – the cheque has been replaced by the parcel. And you can trust me on this because, well, I’m a journalist, and for the past week I have been on a tough and thankless assignment: traversing the city in search of my wayward mail.

Read more: Mail menopause in post without haste.

In 2012, The Australian Ballet marks 50 years in an illustrious history, and Australia Post is celebrating with the release of two domestic base-rate (60c) stamps. A range of collectables is also available to mark this remarkable milestone in Australia’s cultural life.

Australia’s premier ballet company is notable for its classical and contemporary dance repertoire, and also for the versatility, technical skill and warmth its dancers bring to performances. The company’s full-time ensemble of dancers attracts both audience and critical acclaim – accolades it has enjoyed throughout its history – performing outstanding works created by both Australian and international choreographers. Read the rest of this entry »