PROXY TELSTRA AGM
The Telstra AGM is on Tue 15 Oct 2018 in Melbourne. The Vic T&S Branch will be at the AGM. The Branch will again raise some of our issues (like pay v CEO pay). If you wish to proxy John Ellery (full name Christopher John Ellery) to cast your vote at that meeting, please fill out the on line arrangements at Telstra AGM, and send him a copy of the nomination. We will include this link in future bulletins, but please either vote or proxy as soon as possible. Could you please also email a copy of the vote or if that isn't possible then the registration /confirmation to John - jellery@cwu.asn.au

CAN WE TRUST TELSTRA - CLASSIFICATION
A number of members have complained that they have been reclassified down from a CFW classification to an SW classification. The pay reduction is about 10%. Then Telstra make up the pay so that you are not "disadvantaged". We cannot agree with Telstra. We are seeking a meeting with Telstra with the aim of restoring the correct classifications. Watch this space.

OPTUS CUT BACKS
Optus has advised of a review of some parts of its business, resulting in the consolidation of some services and some redundancies across Australia. Members involved would already be aware of the changes. Should any member have an issue, please contact us on the numbers below.

POST SPF CHANGES
Post has advised that it wishes to discuss changes to technical staff rosters and coverage. It appears that they have reached agreement with the postal officers' branch of our union to introduce two shifts for the operators. Matters to be discussed include rosters, overtime, SGF and Minchinbury. These change are planned for late January 2020, are likely to be controversial. We will involve members in all discussions. Post plan a staff briefing commencing after the long week-end. We will attend the briefing.

BULLETIN FROM JOHN ELLERY
John Ellery is on the negotiating team - we include the bulk of his last Bulletin below under several headings.

EBA CLAUSE 48 (WAS CLAUSE 45)
"Moving within the Telstra Group" (was cl 45, now cl 48)- the "hot button" issue: The conflict with existing cl 49 (Placement period - internal Telstra redeployment) and the stated aim of Telstra (through the old cl 45 words and the reinforced bargaining position of not having an EBA without cl 45) makes it apparent that Telstra's real ambition is to be able to offer any individual whose position is declared redundant, the possibility of a role in a subsidiary.
If you refuse that offer to a "suitable position" you do not get paid the 80 weeks redundancy money. You go out the door without a package payment ie. you resign yourself. Despite all the focus on InfraCo every redundant position in Telstra could be in scope for a possible transfer to any current or newly created subsidiary That's what this cl48 proposal could allow.
So, there is a clear possibility that something may be contrived that results in "suitable offers" being made, even possibly from areas such as the old Telstra Service Delivery area containing CFW 4 positions. The lack of detail provided on possible subsidiary set up arrangements leads us to question where an individual could end up when the Telstra parent possibly decides to divest itself from a large proportion of its current workforce.
We must stand firm against any attempts to fundamentally change the long and hard fought for Telstra Redundancy provisions. This clause 48 has the possibility to avoid any redundancy payments in the future (if certain conditions can be set up), something that Telstra have been trying to do for years.
The debate continues, and ultimately you will be the judge, if (or when) Telstra decides to chance its arm as they have in the past. The ultimate decision on this is not made by the bargaining agents or the Unions, it is made by you if Telstra puts the latest draft EBA (including cl48) out for a vote.

EBA LSL
Telstra tabled its changed Long Service Leave policy proposal to operate from 1/1/20. The policy will not appear in the EBA, but the EBA will refer to it (in the same way it does at the moment). The policy contains some words that allows the manager, after some conditions are met, to direct staff to take 9 days of your LSL credits (ie what you would accumulate in one year) if you have tripped over the 3 months accumulation (ie after 10 years of service). The idea of the boss being able to determine (and direct) when you take your accumulated LSL is disgraceful, and should clearly be resisted. It is yet another slap in the face for long serving dedicated employees. Any reference to the forced direction needs to be removed from the policy.

EBA LENGTH OF AGREEMENT
Currently, the Telstra proposal is that a 2 year agreement (1 October 2018 to 30 September 2021) be the length of the proposed new Agreement. So we have gone through a 15 month procession of meetings to possibly get to a position where the EBA will have to be re-negotiated shortly after it possibly takes effect (or it ends up where we currently are with an expired EBA in October 2021). The Agreement clearly needs to have a longer currency period.

EBA PAY
Telstra continue to say they will not put an improved monetary offer on the table until the 3 Unions agree to all the proposals they have been pushing (including the acceptance of the contentious cl 45/cl 48 and LSL arrangements). Their position hasn't changed from the 1.8 % p.a. they offered some time ago, and will no doubt include the "over award" 1.5% payment they have indicated will take place on 1 October.

TELSTRA EBA HOOK-UP
Monitor our HOME PAGE for details of the next hook-up.
The hook-up is hosted by John Ellery a member of the negotiating committee from our T&S Vic Branch. Next Meeting Wednesday 2 Oct 7.30pm. Meeting ID is 658719047
+ Simply dial in: 02 8015 2088 and enter the Meeting ID
+ Click this link

MEMBER EBA COMMENT
First we miss out on an annual pay rise and now no bonus from Telstra. The CEO doesn't go without his pay rise so why should we. If Telstra can't make a decision and keep fighting this then the CEO should go without a pay rise to see how it feels.

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.