Telecommunications
Telstra industrial action update
(1 February 2010) Members will recall that just prior to Christmas, Telstra tried to stop the various industrial actions notified by the CEPU – despite claiming at the same time that the EA employees’ union campaign was having little or no impact on its business! Those attempts failed and stoppages and overtime/recall bans have been ongoing despite the Xmas lull.
We are aware of a widespread take up of the stoppage action around the 3 days between Christmas and New Year, where members decided to have a longer break. We are also aware of the widespread use of the log-on half hour action before starting time across Telstra where members are refusing that half hour unpaid overtime.
There have been other examples of effective action such as in Palm Cove, North Queensland where the press is reporting customer complaints regarding faults with their phones, internet and Eftpos connections for days at a time.
In NSW the Argent network had a major outage with around 25% of national leased line Eftpos services down.
In WA the CEPU suspended some action because of our life and limb policy relating to the bushfires. We are concerned with reports of local management abuse of our goodwill in this regard. There have been other actions across all States and Territories of Australia.
In terms of the EA, members received the 2% from October and a 2.5% sign on bonus (even though we never signed up) .
Members have advised the bonus timing was helpful in the lead up to Christmas. All your existing EA conditions remain, i.e. redundancy, penalty rates, long service leave, etc arising from and including agreements reached with the Federal Government.
Membership consultation - Auspoll
Following requests from State Branches, the union has decided to take a new poll of members’ views about Telstra’s latest offer. The poll will again be conducted by the independent agency, Auspoll. Members are being asked what they think of the current Telstra offer and to consider action to further the campaign.
All members are urged to participate. You should expect to be contacted by email early in the week commencing 1st February 2010.
Members should be clear, however, that this is not a formal vote on the proposed agreement. Rather it is a “straw vote” which will provide the CEPU with quick feedback to assist with the next steps in the campaign.
For more information, contact the CEPU via feedback@cepu.asn.au