UNION MEMBERS EARN MORE
People working under EBAs are winning wage increases ahead of the cost of living, but wages remain too low across the board, data released by the Attorney General this week reveals. The Trends in Bargaining report for the March 2019 quarter shows that wage increases in newly approved federal agreements fell by 0.1 percentage points to 2.7 percent per year. This was comprised of a 0.1 percentage point fall to 2.9 percent in the private sector and 0.3 percent to 2.4 percent in the public sector.
Agreements that had union involvement - 85 percent of agreements - delivered pay rises of 2.7 percent on average, while those without union representation had only 2.4 percent pay rises. The wage price index is currently 2.3 percent. The public sector fall impacting people like scientists, engineers, nurses, administrators and teachers was a result of caps imposed by some governments that stop fair wage increases for public sector workers.
Particularly concerning is the high number of people whose wage increases were "non-quantifiable" in agreements (eg Job Family) - more than 45 percent. This is an indication that the current rules restricting bargaining and industrial action are hurting the ability of workers to win fair pay increases.

TELSTRA PAY RISE OFFER BELOW PAR
The "going rate" in the private sector is 2.9%. The struggling Mr Penn can only offer 1.8% - when Telstra should be leading the field. Even the Government sector with political wage caps is beating Telstra. With the massive redundancies, this is just greed by Telstra!

TELSTRA TRIPLE 0
Following the move to Paddington, a number of issues have arisen. We will be taking these up with local management. The issues include the cold lunch room, noise in the workplace, lack of lockers and the general factory like appearance. We will visit again shortly and advise the date by separate email.

TELSTRA EBA HOOK-UP
Monitor our HOME PAGE for details of the next hook-up.

TELSTRA EBA UPDATE - CLAUSE 45
The union sought legal advice about a way to overcome the detrimental effect of Clause 45. At the meeting this week, the union was not in a position to put a proposal. The unions put the position that the preferred and only fully supported option was for Telstra to second staff to other companies, rather than transfer their employment. There will be another meeting next week.

TELSTRA PAY RATES
It does appear that a pay increase will be applied on October 1. As was the case last year, in the absence of a new EBA, this wage increase would be applied through a policy decision, not a negotiated outcome.

CLAUSE 45 BACKGROUND NOTES
InfraCo is already established as a business unit within Telstra. You are Telstra employees. You are covered by the Telstra EBA (81wk max redundancy and 36 _ hr wk) and Telstra Safety Net Award (45wk max redundancy and 36 _ hr wk). Telstra can move staff into InfraCo.
InfraCo Pty Ltd (if established) would be a separate company. It will not be "Telstra". It will not have an EBA initially. It will be covered by the Telecom Industry Safety Net Award. (18wk max redundancy and 38 hr wk). Without Clause 45, Telstra cannot move staff into InfraCo Pty Ltd.
Secondment is one answer. Telstra might transfer you to from Telstra to InfraCo Pty Ltd. If seconded, you remain a Telstra employee with all Telstra conditions.

AWA AND EBA CLAUSE 45
If you are on an AWA, then Telstra may not need Clause 45. From some of the AWAs we have seen, Telstra already have the right to move you to a subsidiary. The main problem is that redundancy and transfer under an AWA is not a right. It is policy that can be changed at any time. We need to see your AWA/ITEA to give proper (and confidential) advice. Contact me by return email or by phone below.

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
0447 265 443 reception@cwunion.net Administrative eg payments, applications, change of details

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