Telstra flogging a dead horse

October 24, 2008

Telstra management is again trying to flog its dead horse collective agreement at the same time as inflation data confirms just how inadequate the pay offer is.

The cost of living rose by 5% over the past 12 months, and the 1.2% rise in the September quarter was the biggest since 1995.

That’s almost half of Telstra’s 12.5% pay offer eaten away in just one year!

Management has made the revised offer due to pressure from you for a better deal. But it’s still the same type of divisive, take-it-or-leave-it Part A/Part B offer that was rejected by Wholesale and Service Advantage staff in September.

There are a couple of “spin doctor” messages in the new offer that need correcting:

  • Management says “register your interest to get a vote”: The clever wording gives the impression that if you don’t put in an expression of interest, then you may not get a vote on the offer. This is a tactic so management can determine whether to proceed with a vote, rather than endure the embarrassment of rejection again. In fact, Telstra is required by law to give everyone on the EBA or an expired AWA a vote.
  • Management says “the economic downturn means you should pick up Telstra’s offer now and run while you can”: Nonsense. As we explained above, the offer of 4.5%, 4% and 4% is a real pay cut. The consumer price index is running at 5% while a “basket of goods” measured by the Australian Bureau of Statistics is 5.7% and rising. Last time we checked, we didn’t notice Sol Trujillo and his senior executives offering to take a pay cut because of gloomy economic times.
  • Management says they are protecting your redundancy entitlements: They won’t change the redundancy payout (this would mean a certain no vote) but they have taken away other protections, such as an independent right to appeal.

Here’s some other stuff management won’t tell you about either:

  • There will be no role for an independent umpire to settle disputes.
  • Performance bonuses are totally at the discretion of management, with no checks or balances.
  • Your hours and days of work can be changed with minimal consultation.
  • There are major constraints on effective union representation and involvement in the workplace.
  • At the end of three years, there will be no requirement to consult the union for your next agreement.

There’s a simple answer to management as they shop around this new offer.
SAY NO!

Instead ask management to sit down in good faith with your union to negotiate a fair deal.

Months have passed since management walked away from the negotiating table, and this petty, stubborn attitude has damaged Telstra’s reputation in the eyes of the government, the community, its customers and most importantly, THE STAFF.

In the meantime, unions are preparing for an industrial action ballot of all members to pursue a quality enterprise agreement you deserve.

Stay tuned for more information on the ballot.

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

Comments

4 Responses to “Telstra flogging a dead horse”

  1. John J on October 24th, 2008 8:16 am

    Their tactic is simple. Enough ‘positive’ responses will determine a worksite eligible for a vote. How does this represent the ‘collective’

    ALL eligible Employees should REGISTER for a vote.

    Then all employees should vote accordingly.

    I know, I want to vote NO - but at least gives me the opportunity.

    REGISTER NOW!

  2. Margaret on October 24th, 2008 10:37 am

    Telstra: Let’s scare and intimidate staff.
    Register your interest so you can vote, this is the best and last you’re going to get, take it by blah date or it’s gone.
    What happened to respect, loyalty and trust in Telstra?
    Apparently these values have turned into take it or leave it because we don’t want unions’ to be legally able to question/challenge our decisions.
    I insure my house, my car, and I intend to ensure that my rights at work are able to be enforced and protected by a union agreement.

  3. I have a AGS on October 25th, 2008 7:32 am

    i have registered my so I can further embarrass them :) But true how many times must it be spelled out to before they realise ?

  4. Jack B on October 29th, 2008 10:05 pm

    I just wonder how in their own minds the top management justify the obscenely large pay increases and bonuses they award themselves (on top of their already obscenely large paypackets). And yet look to literally decrease their employees wages in real terms. How do these people live with themselves?

    Do they not realise without their highly skilled workforce they are NOTHING. Especially with the NBN coming up! Let’s show them this fact - INDUSTRIAL ACTION NOW!

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