Moe case study: Telstra staff denied access to unions

July 31, 2008

What should have been a regular workplace visit to Telstra Moe from CPSU descended into farce on Wednesday, with management going to extraordinary lengths to keep our local organiser from talking to Telstra staff.


On Wednesday 23 July CPSU organiser Trev Ward visited Telstra Moe in Victoria, after providing management with his right of entry notice 24 hours earlier, as required by law. However when he attempted to gain access to the building, management refused entry, claiming that the manager CPSU contacted via email was no longer with Telstra Moe and as he had not notified the “correct” manager access would not be granted. Despite complying with all relevant sections of the Workplace Relations Act (including sections 760 and 763) entry to the workplace was refused. Management had not notified CPSU of any change of contact details. This matter has now been referred to your union’s legal section to be pursued.

Café crackdown
After being denied entry, Trev sent an email message CPSU members letting them know they could come and see him in the Jasper café. The café proprietor was happy for Trev to have his lunch there and talk to employees who wished to speak with him. However Telstra management then contacted the café proprietor and sought to have Trev removed. With reluctance the proprietor then asked him to leave, explaining they could not afford to upset management as Telstra employees made up a large proportion of their business. Trev completed his visit by standing outside the building and talking to those employees coming in and out.

Update
On Friday 25 July CPSU organisers visited Telstra Moe to inform staff of the week’s events. At approx 9.45am the café proprietor fielded a phone call from national Telstra HR management, asking questions about what had happened on Wednesday! During a discussion with the proprietor, CPSU organisers gave her a copy of the bulletin and she confirmed that the CPSU organiser’s version of events as contained in the bulletin was correct.

Why the tough tactics?
Following last week’s decision by Telstra management’s to walk away from EA negotiations, employees have been subjected to a barrage of material outlining the Telstra management position. This agreement is very important in determining the future pay and conditions for staff - including those on Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs). CPSU believes you deserve access to a range of opinions so you can make up your own mind.

Towards a better relationship
One of the key objectives of the EA campaign has been to establish a better working relationship between management, unions and staff – so we can avoid the type of situation CPSU encountered during this most recent visit.

Source: CPSU

Written by TelstraUnions · Filed Under Telstra HR's dodgy dealings 

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