Dodgy dealings sees bad deal for WA call centre staff

November 21, 2008

Telstra staff in Service Advantage (Call Centric) in WA have endorsed an employee collective agreement for that area. The agreement follows an earlier ballot in September when staff across Call Centric including the Townsville site, rejected the Telstra offer. We understand thirty-two people were eligible to vote in this ballot – that’s one-thousandth of the Telstra workforce.

Union members in Call Centric WA reported they were put in a difficult position by Telstra, with one on one briefings and calls at home designed to place pressure on individuals to register interest in an agreement. WorkChoices allows Telstra to put agreements to staff without proper negotiation or consultation with staff or their unions, and to split the workforce any way it chooses and into smaller and smaller groups.

I work in Call Centric in WA – what does this mean for my rights?
Unions will continue to campaign for a better Telstra. Whilst your union organisers can no longer enter your workplace to conduct meetings, we will continue to organise meetings off site so you can have your say.

I don’t work in Wholesale or Call Centric, but I’m on the EA – what happens next?
Its possible Telstra will move quickly to roll agreements out in other areas, based on their “Sample ECA”. The rejection of Telstra HR’s proposals by Service Advantage/ Call Centric and Wholesale staff in September forced some improvements, eg in redundancy entitlements for new staff. However, most aspects of that agreement remain. By rejecting the sample ECA if it’s offered in your area, you will maintain the right to join with other Telstra staff to seek a fair agreement across the company. CEPU and CPSU members will have the chance shortly to vote on the right to take protected industrial action in support of a better deal.

Let your union know what’s going on in your area: If you hear anything about a proposal being put to a vote in your area, let your union know directly or contact the ACTU on 1300 486 466.

Some Questions about Telstra’s “sample ECA”

Does the pay rise stack up? Telstra HR’s latest offer does not even keep pace with the current cost of living. It also compares poorly with the increases awarded to senior managers. Did you know CEO Sol Trujillo’s latest annual increase was 14%, taking his total pay packet up to a staggering $13.4 mil a year?

What’s Telstra really saying about money? Telstra are trying to have it both ways. To you they say the current offer is out for a limited time, and “future pay offers will be reviewed in light of global economic circumstances.” But Chief Financial Officer John Stanhope told investors last week “History shows that during periods where the economy slows or even declines, Telstra and its sector continue to grow at rates above GDP (gross domestic product). We would expect that to again be the case.” (The Age, 7 November 2008).

Will you lose your rights at work? If the proposed agreement gets up, you will no longer be able to have union meetings in your workplace to discuss workplace issues. It will become illegal. The company will no longer be under any obligation to consult with unions about major changes. It will also be harder for unions to enforce the agreement as they will have a reduced role in dispute resolution.

Divide and conquer? Telstra HR’s strategy is clear and predictable – they want to ‘divide and conquer’ staff by splitting the workforce into tiny groups so they can reduce your bargaining power.

Second class employees? The introduction of a two part agreement means new and AWA employees will miss out on guaranteed pay increases, have lower conditions of employment and get less say over hours of work.

There is a better way!
We saw in September that when Telstra workers stick together and reject these unfair agreements we can get a better deal for all Telstra workers. The Government is also about to introduce new industrial relations laws that will restore some fairness in the workplace.

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

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