UPDATE
Further to the information provided below, the CPSU has notified the Department of further industrial action covering the period 13-16 November.
The industrial action between 13-16 November will be a partial work ban on “adhering to risk assessing models for inspection, screening, examination and/or searching of cargo, mail or baggage (excluding passenger baggage), resulting in a higher number of inspections, screenings, examinations and/or searches” and “on releasing goods or cargo after assessment, inspection or examination”.
ABF (Australia Border Force) Industrial Action is currently underway with officers from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, which includes the ABF.
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) will be taking part in the Protection Industrial Action (PIA) and have given notice of 24 hour work bans on November 3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9. This will impact container/cargo examination facilities (CEF) and international mail facilities.Delays are being expected on x-ray container examinations.
The usual practice is that up to 100 containers per day pass through the CEF, most are x-rayed, risk assessed and returned to the terminal for delivery with minimal delay.
This may all change in coming days with “holds” on all CEF selected containers to remain in place for the duration of the PIA on November 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 November.
Should your container be selected for the CEF, you may experience several days of delay in cargo release from the terminal. This is obviously less than ideal for those who require stock in the lead up to the festive season. Additional stevedore and shipping line fees may apply due to these delays.
Please take note of these dates and ensure that delays and possible additional costs are factored into your cost of business.
