NSW: Postal strike affects Christmas deliveries

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2003
NSW: Postal strike affects Christmas deliveries

Parcel handlers around New South Wales are on strike and have threatened to remain
off the job indefinitely.

But Australia Post says Christmas parcels will be delivered as usual.

Australia Post says half the state's parcel post workers have walked out.

The dispute is over the number of full- and part-time jobs at a new $120 million facility
in Sydney that's due to open next year.

But the postal union has accused Australia Post of downplaying the numbers of parcel
handlers on strike.

JIM METCHER, NSW secretary of the Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union, says
all 850 workers at NSW parcel handling centres have gone on strike, leading to a backlog
of half a million parcels.

But Australia Post spokeswoman ELIZABETH RICH says less than two per cent of parcels
will be delayed.

AAP RTV apw/kbw/dl/rp l

KEYWORD: POSTAL (SYDNEY)

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