1. TELSTRA EBA

Two meetings have now occurred with Telstra and a further meeting is planned next week. We have heard the usual introduction about how Telstra cannot afford to pay more. And you will see from the Telstra Log of Claims below, we are far apart. Several interpretations are possible given the Telstra approach. More next bulletin.

2. TELSTRA LOG OF CLAIMS

Telstra describe these items below as "options" or "discussion points".

• A low wage rise of around 2% per annum -ð- below anticipated inflation
• A removal of the exemption which allows technical specialists Band 9 and above to be paid overtime
• Long Service Leave changes (already known)
• Removal of the additional Telstra leave day
• Significant reduction of redundancy benefits
• More restrictions on higher duties eg minimum 1 week.
• Reduce purchased leave conditions

3. OUR RESPONSE

This is not going to happen. We will continue with negotiations of course but the log is unrealistic and does nothing to grow the company. Offshoring and outsourcing has not helped Telstra - customers loathe offshore call centres and outsourced companies are only interested in the dollar, not service. Both cause reputational damage. Look at the recent outages. The union side has yet to respond in full, and as yet has not tabled its own items which require negotiation.

Authorised by Alex Jansen State Secretary
CWU Telecommunications & Services Branch