Australia pushes envelope for pudgy postal workers: report
SYDNEY (AFP) — Australia's postal service has increased the maximum weight for its delivery staff after struggling to attract applicants weighing less than 90 kilogrammes (198 pounds), local media reported Tuesday.
The old limit was designed to allow "posties", as they are known here, to carry 40 kilogrammes of mail on their small motorcycles for a total load of 130 kilogrammes, the Daily Telegraph said.
That was seen as a "safe working limit" for the 110cc Hondas, but because of difficulties in finding suitable staff, the weight limit has been raised to 105 kilogrammes, a union official said.
"How many people weigh 90 kilogrammes? Not many. They lifted the limit to 105 kilogrammes after Honda gave them permission," said union organiser Michael Etue.
The prevalence of obesity has more than doubled in Australia in the past 20 years, the Australian General Practice Network of doctors said last year.
Australia Post spokesman Scott McIntyre acknowledged that Honda had approved the weight increase after tests found it "would not have any significant effect on the stability, handling or safety of the 110cc motorcycle."
But unions claim the increased weight allowance means posties cannot carry as much mail and will have to work overtime to meet unrealistic deadlines.
