Posties talk up a storm over gear - Australia Post

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.theage.com.au/business/posti ... 23sg3.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AMID a storm of complaints that its posties' wet weather gear has utterly failed to do its job, Australia Post is replacing it.

The situation has been worst for Victoria's 2000 posties, who rode through the rain of the past 18 months, with Bureau of Meteorology figures noting last year as the 12th wettest since 1900.

Anthony Veal has been a mailman for 27 years, and loves his route around South Yarra.

''Being a postie, when you're out in public, you always see the nice side of people. I deliver to the commission flats down in South Yarra and everyone says how terrible it is. But the people there are just the nicest people.

''Some of them have had a really rough time, but when they see you they're nice. 'G'day postie, how you going mate?' I know people do care about their postie.''

Two weeks ago, Mr Veal started an online petition, which yesterday topped 5000 signatures, imploring Australia Post chief executive Ahmed Fahour to help the nation's 8000 posties stay dry. It is part of a wider campaign by the Communication Workers Union, which represents posties.

''Our wet weather gear does not work. After 20 to 30 minutes of rain, we are soaked through to the skin. Our boots and gloves are not waterproof either. We end up cold, wet and miserable,'' the petition says.

In his decades on a bike, Mr Veal has seen waves of wet weather gear come and go, and says it's no surprise the current gear isn't standing up to the rain. ''We've just had the 10 years of drought, and over that 10 years everyone's forgotten about the rain.''

Australia Post's Jane McMillan said the current contract for the supply of wet weather gear would soon expire and a tender process was being held to replace it.

''We understand the concerns of our posties and their desire to get the best possible protective clothing,'' she said.

Australia Post has run focus groups of posties nationwide and tested several types of wet weather garments.

But the union says it is taking too long and if the tests aren't resolved swiftly new gear won't be ready in time for next winter.

Victorian branch secretary Joan Doyle said the design of the present wet weather gear was OK, but the fabric was not good enough.

''There's nothing wrong with the brand, it's just that they've bought cheap [stuff],'' she said. ''It's not fit for purpose. And you can imagine in Tasmania and places like Ballarat, where it just gets freezing. It's very uncomfortable.''

[DGP1]

F**king big sissies...........................you'd think they'd be able to cope with a bit of rain, our waterproofs are even worse and we're out in much worse weather, they really need to grow a pair



And they also need to stop whining about how crap they have been at the Olympics.

[clashcityrocker]

We end up cold, wet and miserable.......

There is the mistake.
Best to start off cold, wet and miserable, then your day can't get any worse.
We all do it in my DO...........though sometimes not cold .....or wet.

[Sharkeyes]

Aussie Posties, you have my sympathies on this issue. For years UK posties have suffered the same with crap gear that isn't up to the job.
The latest orange and black storm proof coat is the best they have done so far but even that soaks through after 2 hours or so.
As for the light weight red kaghool, forget it. It's a complete waste of time and money.
As for winter snow, the uniform is a joke. A pair of army issue NBC over boots would be the best thing to keep out the snow and the cold and wet. Even thought you may be wrapped up warm, you still end up getting wet with 2 liters of sweat inside your water proofs, so we can't win either way.