Almost 100 Telstra technician jobs will be slashed across regional NSW, fueling union fears for the future of reliable communication services in the region.
Last week Telstra, regional Australia’s biggest communications provider, issued about 92 termination notices to technicians working in communities across NSW and the ACT.
The Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union, representing Telstra technicians, said the move was a heavy blow to regional NSW in increasingly tough times.
CEPU NSW Assistant Secretary, Steve Dodd said the job cuts would mean fewer employment opportunities in regional NSW and less reliable communication services to communities in the region.
“The reality is job cuts mean service cuts. Fewer Telstra technicians on the ground in regional NSW will mean longer delays for those communities waiting for vital phone repairs and poorer communication services across the board,” Mr Dodd said.
“Telstra’s job cuts decision also comes as a heavy blow to technicians and their families and their communities,
“Finding job opportunities in regional areas was hard enough in good times but the economic downturn means it’s likely to be harder for these technicians, their families and others in the community who had hoped to find a job with Telstra,
Mr Dodd also said that it appeared the Telco had put the big profits and executive bonuses ahead of the interests of its workers and communities who depend on the company’s services.
“Earlier this year we witnessed Telstra boss, Sol Trujillo cash in more than $20 million dollars in executive bonuses and rewards. Meanwhile, the company is cutting jobs and services left, right and centre,” Mr Dodd said.
“If Telstra bosses spent less time lining their own pockets maybe we’d have better services across regional NSW and more job opportunities for regional communities.
Technician jobs will be slashed in Sydney Metro (35), Canberra and South Coast, including the Shoalhaven area (6), Newcastle (9), Casino(1), Grafton(2), Coffs Harbor (1), Port Macquarie (3), Tamworth (2) Inverell / Glen Innes (2) and another 16 across the North Coast and New England areas, Bathurst (4), Parkes (4), Dubbo (3) and another 4 across the Greater West.
Media Comment:
Steve Dodd
CEPU NSW Assistant Secretary
0419 220 726
Shane Murphy
CEPU NSW Telecommunications Organiser
0407 656 263
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