Telecommunications

8
Nov

‘Disgraceful’ – Optus outage comes as jobs slashed across the country

The Union representing telecommunications workers says that today’s outage is an absolute disgrace – leaving some of the most vulnerable members of the community relying on landlines without emergency help. The outage comes just after Optus announced the slashing of over 200 jobs in the last two months – impacting various parts of their network across the country. This brings

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1
Aug

Telstra: travel allowance rate review outcomes

Following consultation with Telstra, travel related payments will increase and become effective as of 1 August 2023. The current and future rates are reproduced in the below tables. However, the key changes are: Existing rates, pre 1 August 2023 New rates, effective 1 August 2023 Should you require any further information, please contact Assistant Secretaries Cameron Bird, Peter Chaloner or

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19
Jan

Optus Retail Bargaining: Claims that reflect your views

Late last year we shared the good news that Optus had agreed to sit down with your Union and negotiate a new Enterprise Agreement for Optus Retail employees – your opportunity to put your terms and conditions of employment on equal footing with employees across the rest of the telco. Our organisers have been out and about in Optus stores

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9
Dec

Telstra: safety alert – electrical insulation gloves

Following concerns raised by members working at Telstra, the Union held discussions with the manufacturer of the electrical insulation gloves that are issued to members by Telstra, to seek clarity over the application of the Australian Standard Live working – electrical insulation gloves 60903:2022. It was apparent to us that current practices at Telstra weren’t compliant with the Standard. The Union

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7
Dec

YES! You did it: CWU members drag Optus Retail to the bargaining table

For far too long, members at Optus Retail have been treated differently to employees across the rest of the telco. Working under a sub-par, non-Union Enterprise Agreement that expired in 2016, so flawed that it failed the Fair Work Commission’s Better Off Overall Test, members were fed up with Optus outright refusing to sit down to negotiate a new Agreement.

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29
Nov

Telstra: Safety alert – Toyota Landcruiser wheel failure

The Union has been engaged in ongoing discussions with Telstra regarding members’ reports of wheels on LC70 GXL Toyota Landcruiser vehicles failing sporadically. This is a serious safety matter that may put members, and other road users, at risk. Telstra reports that they are continuing to work with Toyota and other suppliers to understand and address the root cause of

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11
Nov

CWU wrangles Ventia back into line

Following Ventia’s disgraceful behaviour in notifying 11 employees of redundancy, just 24 hours after notice that a restructure was on the cards, the company has been forced to put the brakes on. Ventia was forced to front up for a conference before Commissioner Bisset yesterday, following an urgent application to the Fair Work Commission by the CWU As a result

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7
Nov

Third-year EBA wage increase secured at CPI at nbn outside bargaining process

As members are aware, despite significant improvements being won by the Union through the bargaining process, we could not overlook what we saw as overwhelming shortcomings associated with nbn’s pay and remuneration offer as part of EBA negotiations. With inflation increasing beyond the point of targets and forecasts as early as the second-half of last year, our clear demands to

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4
Nov

VENTIA AGREES TO HALT RESTRUCTURE FOLLOWING UNION INTERVENTION

On 2 November 2022, Ventia announced changes to its network Operations & Assurance / NIFM team, that would result in a reduction of 11 roles. Impacted employees were notified on 3 November and given just one day to; This disgraceful action by Ventia does not even get close to constituting with genuine consultation. The Union appealed for Ventia to extend

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4
Nov

Audit uncovers $3.58 million in superannuation underpayments at Telstra

Telstra has announced the findings of an external audit conducted into the payment of wages and superannuation of employees between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2022. The good news is that the audit did not uncover any underpayments of wages or large-scale deficiencies. It has however uncovered that in a few specific circumstances, superannuation payments were not made, where

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