Telecommunications
Special online poll on Telstra's offer
(27 October, 2009): In the next 24 to 48 hours CEPU members in Telstra will receive an invitation to participate in a crucial online poll - to let you have your say on the current EA offer put on the table by Telstra.
We've engaged reputable polling firm Auspoll to independently conduct the poll.
The CEPU has done this to let you send a clear signal to your union about your wages and conditions - and it will let Telstra know exactly what you think too.
We urge you to have your say - because your views will guide the union on the next steps in this campaign.
By now members will be aware that the EBA talks have hit a roadblock over two or three major issues.
As a result and after considerable discussion, the union's Divisional Executive carried the following decision on Friday 16 October 2009.
“The Divisional Executive of the CEPU Communication Division has noted the report summarising the negotiations with Telstra and has formed the view that the talks are fast approaching a stalemate.
There are three remaining fundamental issues which appear to be extremely difficult to resolve to the satisfaction of the CEPU and its members:
- The inadequacy of the pay increases on offer from Telstra, and their resistance to back pay.
- Telstra's refusal to allow employees to utilise the full extent of Fair Work Australia's arbitration powers to resolve fair treatment disputes between employees and Telstra.
- Telstra's reluctance to move from its objective of ensuring that its non negotiated pay and classification system becomes the only system for Telstra employees in the future.
We note that despite the vastly superior background and research information presented by the CEPU during the negotiations on each of these issues, and despite the compromises offered by the CEPU on each of these issues, that Telstra still refuses to move from its required positions.
As a result, the Divisional Executive authorises that consultations begin with members throughout Australia with urgency; to enable the members to consider all options should negotiations fail to produce results on the major issues in dispute. Consideration will be given to resuming our industrial action campaign.
The Communications Divisional Executive of the CEPU reiterates its position on the above issues in the interests of its members.
These are critical issues and Telstra must understand that they are issues deeply felt and cherished by Telstra's EBA employees and other Telstra employees."
CURRENT STATE OF PLAY
Attached is an overview document of some of the issues canvassed in the talks. We try to fairly represent the union position and Telstra's.
Right now, here's our quick take.
If we reached an agreement on the current offer today:
- All current conditions would be secured.
- Some less significant additional conditions will be included (eg salary packaging).
- The main elements of the current redundancy agreement would be included.
- Pay would be 2½% lump sum one off payment at start of agreement, (not included in pay), and a 2% pay increase, second year 3% pay increase and third year 4% pay agreement to expire late 2012.
On banding and remuneration systems:
- The current EA banding and pay systems would apply to all EA employees and all new starters who would be working in the CFW and TW work streams.
- Telstra’s non-negotiated banding and remuneration systems would continue to apply to ECA Part B employees and employees on AWAs.
On dispute settling:
- only compulsory MEDIATION of disputes by Fair Work Australia will be available but not arbitration if mediation fails.
- However arbitration for some aspects of the redundancy clauses will be retained.
Again, we urge you to take part in the survey. If your email details have changed, contact the union straight away via feedback@cepu.asn.au