The Community and Public Sector Union has advised that its members employed with Customs and Border Protection intend to continue Protected Industrial Action into next week.

 

This action will comprise one and two hour stoppages, and partial work bans at various work locations, including airports, container examination facilities, air cargo operations and international mail facilities.

 

Customs and Border Protection has in place contingency arrangements to protect Australia's borders and minimise impacts on business operations.

 

Cargo
Our arrangements will minimise impact on our cargo and mail operations but we anticipate that there may be delays to the screening of some held air cargo consignments in Sydney. We expect up to 30% of air cargo, that has been held for examination, may be impacted between Wednesday 5 October and Saturday 8 October.  Overall we estimate this will equate to 150 - 200 consignments over the 4 days. Though we are optimistic that our contingency arrangements will result in holds being lifted in a timely manner, should there be delays we guarantee that, on completion of the Protected Industrial Action, these consignments will be given priority.  The CI&SC will be available to assist industry if any cargo, falling under the definition of urgent clearance, is held.  The CI&SC may not be able to assist for any cargo not falling under this definition.

 

To request an urgent cargo clearance, the cargo must meet one of the following criteria:

•  Perishable goods will be damaged if subjected to delay, or
  
• Cargo requires immediate delivery (eg urgent medical supplies, hazardous materials and livestock).

If your cargo meets one of the above criteria, phone 02 6275 6100.

 

Passengers
Once again we anticipate that there may be delays to the processing of international travellers at airports. Customs and Border Protection is working with airport owners and airlines to minimise the impact on the travelling public.  When further information is available it will be published at www.customs.gov.au.

 

During protected industrial action the health, safety and security of the public and our staff will be our priority.

 

Customs and Border Protection has negotiated in good faith with all bargaining representatives to propose an Agreement that is affordable within its budget and within the parameters of the Australian Government Bargaining Framework.

 

Information can be found on the website: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/Protectedindustrialaction.asp

 

Regards,

 

Nathan Wright

 

A/g Manager | Industry Engagement
Cargo Services
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service