We wrote to you earlier this week to notify you of protected industrial action the CEPU had authorised to advance your claims for a new, fair Enterprise Agreement at Telstra – in particular, a ban on undertaking specific duties during unpaid time (log on / log off etc).
This ban would’ve enabled members to send a clear message that you and your family deserve a fair pay rise and you are willing to fight for that, whilst minimising impact to your customers.
Telstra has been talking to whoever will listen about how any industrial action engaged in by members would be insignificant and without consequence to their operations.
However, yesterday, as you would be aware, employees received notice of Telstra’s intentions to dock you an entire day’s pay for each and every day you engaged in this protected action.
In effect, Telstra has threatened to lock employees out of their employment – basically saying; ‘Engage in this ban and you might as well stay home, because we won’t pay you anything.’
By doing so, Telstra has displayed utter contempt for you and your rights to fight for what you deserve – along with disgraceful contempt for their customers who will now, instead, be significantly affected by an escalation in action.
Therefore, the Union is withdrawing its advice to engage in the ‘Ban on duties required to be undertaken by employees during unpaid time’. In its place, the CEPU has notified and authorised the following upcoming protected industrial action across all States and Territories:
STRIKE ON TUESDAY
All members employed by Telstra who are covered by the EBA (including AWA and ITEA) across all States and Territories are directed to engage in a complete stoppage of all work from 12:01am Tuesday 12 March with this action ceasing at 11:59pm Tuesday 12 March 2019.This action excludes members working in Triple Zero centres and those performing medical/emergency work.
Please note; the other bans relating to recall and emergency work are to go ahead as planned commencing 12:01am Thursday in all states and territories except WA, with that action to commence in WA from 12:01am Friday. This is to continue until further notice from your Union.
IMPORTANT
DO NOT notify Telstra, including its management representatives, of your intention to engage in this protected industrial action. Your Union has notified Telstra appropriately, as required by legislation.
Further important facts related to protected action is produced below and members are urged to familiarise themselves with this information.
IMPORTANT NOTICE – PLEASE READ
TO TAKE PART IN PROTECTED INDUSTRIAL ACTION, YOU MUST BE:
- Currently employed by Telstra and within the scope of the proposed Enterprise Agreement; and
- A current member of the CEPU – if you are not a member, you can join prior to action commencing by contacting: (02) 9893 7822 or joining online by clicking here.
TO ENSURE THAT THE ACTION YOU ARE PARTICIPATING IN IS LEGAL AND PROTECTED:
Ensure you are following only the action which the Union has authorised. If you require further clarification on any of the abovementioned notified actions, please contact your Branch Official immediately.
YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PRIOR NOTICE TO TELSTRA OR ANY MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVE OF YOUR INTENTIONS TO ENGAGE IN PROTECTED INDUSTRIAL ACTION:
You are not required to provide any notice of your intentions to engage in the abovementioned protected action. Appropriate notification as required under legislation has been provided to Telstra by the Union
IGNORE ANY INDUSTRIAL ACTION NOTICES FROM MANAGEMENT:
Members are advised to ignore any notice NOT authorised by the CEPU. The CEPU will inform members directly through circulars, emails or, text messages and local workplace AURs of what action they are required to participate in. IGNORE any directions or notices to participate, or not, in industrial action from any other sources including management.
Members are to contact their Union immediately if any management representative threatens your employment in any way for taking part in Protected Industrial Action authorised by your Union.
If you require any further information, please contact Branch Officials Peter O’Connell or James Perkins on (02) 9893 7822.
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