The Union has written to Telstra regarding a new and highly concerning practice: requiring employees to sign a “Declaration of Understanding” before being allowed access to fibre maintenance and construction training or performing this work.
What’s The Issue?
Telstra’s declaration asks employees to confirm that fibre maintenance and construction work is classified at CFW4 / Band 4i (or equivalent) and agree that no banding increase applies for the training, skills, responsibilities, or performance of this work.
This effectively forces members to either agree with Telstra’s position or risk being unable to complete the training.
Why Is This Wrong?
Most fibre maintenance and construction work should be classified at CFW5 and above. This is the Union’s strongly held position and is consistent with a judgement already made by the Magistrates Court just last year.
Forcing members to confirm otherwise undermines our EBA and, critically, undermines the Core Jobs Classification Review. Telstra’s approach pre-empts the outcome of that review, compromising the integrity of the entire process.
We have called on Telstra to immediately cease using this declaration, withdraw any requirement for employees to agree to classifications or banding positions as a condition of undertaking training, guarantee no detriment for refusing to sign and engage properly through the consultation process already underway.
We will keep members updated as this matter progresses.
In the meantime, members should not feel pressured to agree with Telstra’s classification position. If you are asked to complete this declaration, please contact Branch Assistant Secretaries Cameron Bird, Peter Chaloner, Barry McVee or Nick Towsend, or Branch Officials Cade Anderson, Lisa Bahls, Peter O’Connell, Brett O’Neill or Clinton Thomas on (02) 9893 7822 when calling from NSW or the ACT, (07) 3255 0440 from QLD, (08) 9227 9911 from WA or (08) 8443 7389 from SA or the NT.
Comments are closed.
