media release

Customs and Border Protection Enterprise Agreement - 23 September 2011

Staff at Customs and Border Protection have voted to reject the proposed Enterprise Agreement 2011-14.

The Community and Public Sector Union has advised that its members employed with Customs and Border Protection intend to take Protected Industrial Action from Tuesday 27 September 2011.

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

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

Our arrangements will minimise impact on our cargo and mail operations but we anticipate that there will 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.

International passengers should allow for extra time for processing from Tuesday 27 September 2011. 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.

Media enquiries:

Customs and Border Protection Media (02) 6275 6793