Enterprise agreement sees Telstra unions calling limited action

In an effort to secure a new enterprise agreement (EA) with the broadband and telecommunications provider, Telstra, trade unions that cover its workers called for limited industrial action in December.

How job cuts and substantial restructuring will be facilitated by the EA under the latest plans by the government for its National Broadband Network (NBN) have so far been keep hidden from workers by Telstra, the Labor government and the unions themselves.

The finalising of a deal in November had almost occurred according to the main union that has been involved in the negotiations, the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU). The demands for higher pay in return for a three-year agreement by angry union member, however, led to it being forced to announce work stoppages in the early part of December.

Members were told in an EA update by CEPU on 2nd December, CEPU that after discussion with Telstra that were considered to have been very productive there had been “great developments.” It went on to say that the pay offer had been increased slightly by management and that the allowing of arbitration in dispute resolution processes had been agreed. The update also said “But as we spoke with members about this new offer, members let their feelings be known.”

The confining of the dispute to the issue of pay had been initial goal of CEPU, which had hoped to have stopped any further discussions of the implications of the EA at a wider scale in terms of basic rights, jobs and working conditions. In an effort to prevent dissent in the working ranks the union effectively urged Telstra to improve on the 2.5 percent increase it had on the table to 12.5 percent over the next three years.

Source – WSWS