TELSTRA EBA DELAYED - NO PROGRESS
The Telstra EBA meeting set for 4 June was cancelled. The next meeting will be on 11 June.

TELSTRA EBA HOOK-UPS
Next Meeting Tuesday 11 June 7.30 to 8.00pm. The meeting is hosted by John Ellery who is a member of the negotiating Committee. There are several ways to join our EBA hook-up - hear the latest on the EBA talks. We are using ZOOM to keep out the idiots. You can still simply dial in without downloading ZOOM. You can prepare by downloading the free "ZOOM" cloud meetings app from you App Store to your phone or computer. The options are:
Simply dial in: 02 8015 2088 and enter the Meeting ID 941202782# (no password, enter #)
Use your phone app: and enter the Meeting ID 941202782 (no password)
Click this link: https://zoom.us/j/941202782 and enter the Meeting ID 941202782 (no password)

TELSTRA REDUNDANCIES - PROBLEM WITH NEW JOBS OUTSIDE
Once retrenched, many members have sought jobs in the industry with private firms. However we have a problem with the Telstra policy. You may need approval from Telstra if your new employer has a contract to do Telstra work. One retrenched member got a new job with a new employer - but Telstra refused to approve the employee to work on Telstra premises or plant. The new employer terminated him because it did not have other work. The Telstra policy is below. As we have many retrenchments now, with Telstra outsourcing work, this is a major concern. We have raised the issue with HR as a dispute and will follow through if the policy is applied in the way set out above.

TELSTRA POLICY - A MAJOR CONCERN
Re-engagement post retrenchment: Former Telstra employees (including employees of Telstra and its controlled entities) who have separated due to redundancy/retrenchment should generally not be re-engaged in the following capacities:
+ In a direct capacity by Telstra within 24 months of the date of separation, or
+ In a direct contracting capacity by Telstra within 12 months of the date of separation. This includes self-employed consultants or contractors, or
+ In an indirect contracting capacity by Telstra within 12 months of the date of separation. This can include engagement through a labour hire provider performing work for Telstra, IT or non-IT consultant suppliers who provide services to Telstra, or a supplier who has a commercial agreement to provide agreed services to Telstra.
The above restrictions also apply to employees that have exited Telstra through a mutual separation process, where the underlying reason for the separation is that the employee's role is no longer required

OPTUS REDUNDANCIES
Optus has advised that it wants to reduce staff and have advised of redundancies across Australia. Optus advised as follows: We have identified 204 roles and people will be potentially impacted by redundancy. These positions are spread across NSW (172), Vic (16), SA (7), WA (6) and Qld (3). Of the roles potentially impacted by redundancy, 41% are covered by EPA18. In an effort to minimise retrenchments where possible, we have also released approx 90 vacancies as a result of these changes. We are committed to consulting with you over the coming weeks to explore genuine and viable ways to mitigate the impact of the restructure on affected employees. Any member who has a concern should contact us on the number below.

ACTU PRESS RELEASE
Further Telstra cuts a betrayal of working people and customers: The peak body for working people condemns an announcement that Telstra will cut 10,000 contracting jobs over the next two years. This comes on top of news in 2018, that Telstra would cut 8,000 permanent staff - bringing the total number of workers made jobless at the company to 18,000 by the end of 2022. This is one of the largest sets of corporate cuts in Australian history. Contractors working in customer service, call centre and technical roles who often have limited access to redundancy and commercial protections will now also face the uncertainty of losing their jobs. Telstra made $1.2 billion profit in the last six months of 2018. The fact that such an iconic and profitable Australian business is able to embark on widespread cuts to increase its profit margin shows that the pendulum has swung too far towards big business and there is an urgent need to change the rules.

VIP - CONTACTING US - NEW PHONE NUMBER
Please note the following changes as we simplify our phone numbers
0428 942 878 dan.dwyer@cwunion.net Dan Dwyer Secretary/Lawyer - for industrial matters & advice
0428 942 878 reception@cwunion.net Administrative eg payments, applications, change of details

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