URGENT UPDATE: Australia Post has just suspended the rollout of its controversial new high-visibility polo shirts after reports of severe sunburn among workers. This shocking development could affect up to 60,000 employees who were issued the garments, despite their advertised SPF 50 protection.
The decision comes just weeks after the launch of what was meant to be a flagship item in Australia Post’s redesigned uniform line, which reportedly cost $5 million. Workers have voiced serious concerns over the lightweight fabric, claiming it offers inadequate sun protection, leading to significant sunburns while on duty.
In a meeting held on February 6, 2023, union representatives and Australia Post management agreed that employees could continue wearing their old uniforms until at least March 30. This interim solution follows widespread complaints about the new polo shirts, including visibility issues with undergarments and tattoos.
Victorian branch secretary of the Communications Workers Union, Troy McGuinness, warned that this blunder could be more costly than anticipated. “If they thought this was going to save them $5 million, this stuff up is going to cost them $25-$30 million,” he stated, emphasizing the potential financial and health implications for the workforce.
Australia Post confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald that it is conducting a formal review of the shirts’ sun-protection performance. “The safety of our team is our number one priority,” a spokesperson said. “We have advised team members to continue wearing their old uniform until the new polo shirt is determined safe, suitable, and meets our quality expectations.”
The rollout began in January 2023, following an 18-month trial that involved testing various clothing items within an 80-piece clothing range. Despite previous complaints about the new shirts’ quality, durability, and functionality, the rollout proceeded without addressing these concerns.
Union reports indicate that employees had previously raised alarms about the shirts being see-through, shrinking in the wash, and failing to provide adequate sun protection. McGuinness noted, “We had reports of posties getting sunburn through the shirts. Throughout the trial period, these issues were reported to them, and they ignored them.”
Australia Post employs over 34,000 staff directly and engages approximately 30,000 contractors, making it one of Australia’s largest employers. The high-visibility polos were designed for outdoor workers, including posties and delivery drivers, who rely on proper sun protection as part of their uniform requirements.
As this situation unfolds, Australia Post must address the serious health and safety concerns of its workforce while managing the potential fallout from this expensive misstep. The company has yet to disclose details about the supplier or the overall contract value related to the new uniforms.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
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