Customs: Something to declare

Date: 30 September 2004

Andy Hewitt (del) & Evan Hall (Sec)

Customs Officers will hold a series of short protest meetings around Australia tomorrow (Friday 1 October 2004) in support of a new certified agreement.

The meetings will issue a 'Customs Officer Declaration' stating that Officers are understaffed and underpaid and are prepared to take action for a better deal. Thousands of Officers are signing the declaration tomorrow.

The current Customs certified agreement (which covers approx 4,800 staff), expires on 30 September. Despite six months of talks between Customs and CPSU, agreement has not been reached on a new pay deal. According to the CPSU's Evan Hall, unless Customs management seriously addresses the issue of staff remuneration, the Customs service will remain under-staffed and over-stretched.

"Right now our Customs frontline is at least 140 staff short. One of the reasons Customs finds it difficult to attract and retain staff is the level of pay," said Mr Hall.

A recent CPSU survey of Customs Officers showed:

• - 30% of Officers are actively planning to leave Customs because of concerns about low pay
• - 75% of Officers are finding it hard to support their families on their current salary.

"Since 9/11, the work of Customs officers has never been more important, or more challenging. We need a pay rise that will allow the agency to easily attract and retain highly skilled Officers" added Mr Hall "The purpose of our short protests this week is to let management know Customs officers are serious about protecting the integrity of the service and are prepared to campaign hard in support of a new agreement, " explained Mr Hall.

For comment: Evan Hall 0407 284 090 For background: Rupert Evans 0408 223 025

More info: www.cpsu.org.au/campaigns/Customs/

Friday, 1 October 2004
Protest meeting & media photo opportunity:
 

SYDNEY: 1.00 pm Link Road, Charles Ulm Building near Sydney Airport Freight Terminal, Mascot NSW: Contact Evan Hall 0407 284 090

MELBOURNE: 12.30pm Flagstaff Gardens, Cnr William and Latrobe Sts / Contact Rupert Evans 0408 223 025

BRISBANE: 12.30 pm Terrica Place, Cnr of Creek and Adelaide Streets Contact Bill Marklew 0417 703 955

ADELAIDE: 12.45 pm Church Street Reserve Church St, Port Adelaide (Adjacent to Coles Supermarket) Karen Atherton 0417 885 160

FREMANTLE: 12 noon Pioneer Reserve, Phillimore Street Sue Bowers 0438 500 495

For further information

Contact:	Evan Hall
Union:	CPSU
Phone:	1300 137 636
Contact Mobile:	0407 284 090

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