Employees in Victoria have been sent an email asking if staff with a driver’s licence and car were free to pick up parcels and deliver them to customers.

Australia Post said it was managing record parcel volumes – up 186 per cent in Victoria in the third week of August – at the same time as its workforce capacity was reduced due to Stage 4 restrictions.

“We’re doing all we can to help process and deliver the parcels that our customers want,” a spokesman said today.

“That’s why – like we do in the lead up to Christmas each year – we have put the call out to our Melbourne office team members to help us with our record volumes if they can.

“Our people who help out on the weekend will receive time in lieu. We will also reimburse our people for the use of their cars as per our usual mileage and expenses claim process.

“So far we’ve had around 200 of our Melbourne office based team members express interest to lend a hand to their front line colleagues to deliver for customers during one of our busiest periods ever, particularly in Victoria.”

Labor’s communications spokeswoman Michelle Rowland tweeted her response on Wednesday.

“Australia Post executives are considering paying themselves millions in bonuses, while simultaneously calling for volunteer delivery drivers.”

“Are you kidding me?”

The Age has reported that Australia Post’s senior executives are in line for about $7 million in bonus payments.

Labor’s Tanya Plibersek said the moves sounded like a ploy to cut workers’ conditions.

“I continue to be shocked at the excuses, the way that people will use the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to protect the interests of the narrow few and cut the pay and conditions of ordinary working Australians”.

-with AAP