LONG SERVICE LEAVE - YOU CAN SAY NO!

Telstra has advised that they will not force staff to take LSL - not until Jan 2020! We argue that Telstra has no legal right to direct staff to take LSL. We intend to fight it. Mr Fewster from Telstra responded by email 20 Nov as follows:
CWU - Employees will not be directed, forced and/or required to take LSL and thereby reduce their existing LSL balances in 2018 or 2019.
Fewster - We have published a direction to People Leaders across the company that employees must not be directed to take LSL between 1 Sept (commencement of the policy) and (Dec) 2019.
CWU - If an Employee has a balance of LSL that is over 90 days, Telstra may request the Employee to take the additional 9 days that accrue in 2019 at an agreed time during the 2019 calendar year;
Fewster - The policy expectation is that employees with a long service leave balance in excess of 90 days will take at least 9 days of long service leave between 01/09/18 and 31/12/19 unless there are exceptional personal or business circumstances that do not permit the taking of long service leave.

REDUNDANCY SWAP

We have a member who would swap with another as he wants a redundancy. Check with us if you want to swap to stay in the job. We will keep a log.

NEW TELSTRA EBA OFFER REJECTED

Telstra met with CWU last week and put a new offer for an EBA. The pay rise was 1.5% with some minor changes to the last offer, including removal to the proposed Clause 45. Telstra's latest offer of 1.5% per annum wage increase has not shifted since they proposed it to all employees over 3 months ago via a vote. This was resoundingly rejected then and is now. Telstra argue a one off bonus for workstream employees and the performance pay bonus boosts the offer. Job family employees are still only guaranteed increases from a 1.5% pay pool. This is considered to be a pay cut and doesn't compare with the increased cost of living. Telstra's recent announcement of reducing the field staff by 20% is saving them millions, and a profit of $3.6 billion says it all. Telstra should pay their staff accordingly and value their work. We will press for a protected action (industrial action) ballot of members. Watch our CWU EBA page.

TANDEM CLASS ACTION -SOME FACTS

When a class action is initiated, you are automatically included. You must opt out if you do not wish to be covered. The NSW T&S Branch (Leichhardt) and both Vic Branches are involved in the alleged claims by members. See video ABC 7.30 Report where two of our members were interviewed. Contact us if you wish to receive more information. See CWU Tandem page.

ISGM TANDEM FIGHTS BACK

Not surprisingly, Tandem is fighting back. They have launched a campaign to convince their staff (or contractors) that they should not contact Shine Lawyers. Unfortunately for Tandem, they may be in breach of the Fair Work Act. Shine may take action against them. See more at CWU Tandem page. See CWU Tandem page.

WORKING INTERSTATE

We just resolved a dispute re a public holiday at home when working interstate. Two members from Victoria were working interstate on Melbourne Cup Day. Telstra did not pay them for the public holiday. Now they have paid the members.

Authorised by Dan Dwyer Branch Secretary
CWU Telecommunications & Services Branch, Leichhardt, NSW.