A breakthrough in the negotiations impasse with Telstra has been achieved and we are moving to suspend members’ engagement in certain forms of authorised and notified protected action, until further notice.
NSW/ACT Secretary and Divisional President Shane Murphy said the breakthrough was achieved by members who have remained strong and united throughout the campaign.
“We are encouraged by recent correspondence with Telstra, who have indicated a willingness to return to the bargaining table, and have moved to withdraw our indefinite actions to demonstrate good faith in our desire to get back to the table.
“It has been a difficult and hard-fought campaign so far, but this breakthrough has been achieved through your commendable determination to have your voices heard.
“We’re looking forward to getting on with talks to wrap up a new EBA that delivers the fairness our members and their families rely upon, and deserve.”
Members are to cease their participation in the following forms of action from 12:01am on 25 April, allowing Telstra to free-up resources they had dedicated to mitigating against the effects of your action:
- Indefinite ban on performance of essential customer service work
- Indefinite ban on performance of emergency work (recalls)
- Indefinite ban on performance of additional hours and overtime
- Indefinite ban on accepting stock or equipment at homes
Divisional Secretary Greg Rayner said the breakthrough was promising, but we’re not across the line yet.
“Telstra have made the right call by workers and customers in indicating their willingness to return to the bargaining table.
“In good faith, we have taken steps to enable this to occur by suspending our ongoing indefinite action.
“There are several outstanding matters we need to see addressed. However, getting regular, genuine talks back on track is what we are focussed on achieving, right now.”
The above forms of indefinite action have been withdrawn in good faith to enable talks to recommence with some certainty. However, members should be prepared to recommence engaging in similar action should a return to bargaining not eventuate.
It remains important that members continue to have their voices heard and apply the pressure we need to achieve the best possible outcome. Therefore, the following forms of authorised protected action will continue, as planned, and members should continue to engage:
- Upcoming half-hour work stoppages between 7:00am and 8:00am – Members with an on-site commencement time of 7:30am should not perform any duties between 7:00am and 7:30am and members with an on-site commencement time of 8:00am should not perform any duties between 7:30am and 8:00am on 24, 26, 29 and 30 April 2019. Note: this action does not apply to employees who are not field-based employees, who do not drive a company vehicle and do not have an on-site start time of 7:30am or 8:00am
- Upcoming work bans at the GOC – members employed at the Global Operations Centre at 30 Henderson Road Clayton, Victoria will refuse to perform any duties resultant of a referral from offshore to assist or resolve issues on 23, 24 and 26 April 2019. Note: this action does not apply where there is a threat to life or the safety or health of persons.
IMPORTANT
DO NOT notify Telstra, including its management representatives, of your intention to engage in any protected industrial action. Your Union has notified Telstra appropriately, as required by legislation. Members should IGNORE any industrial action notices from management and contact the NSW/ACT State Branch office IMMEDIATELY if you are threatened by Telstra.
Further important facts related to protected action is produced below this notice 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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