POST SPF CHANGES - EOI
We have written to Post objecting to the proposed EOI (to be circulated this week). Our objection is based on our belief that the proposed rosters do NOT include SGF in the rotation. Therefore you are being asked to choose and endorse rosters without SGF. We say that it should be referred back to the LWG to consider the SGF and other concerns.

POST SPF CHANGES - SGF
We have put an argument to Post objecting to the removal of SGF for the SPF. For example, we have indicated that the proposal to increase the FTEs at SPF effectively from 22 to 28, and the need to find 6 new staff to maintain SGF will cost over a million dollars. The submission is available from Garry Newbery.

VISIONSTREAM EBA
Visionstream advise that its EBA received a 71% Yes vote. The pay rises were 2.5% for Visionstream workers and 1.5% for former Silcar employees. The first pay rise is immediate and will be repeated for next 3 years.

TELSTRA EBA OPPOSED BY 3 BRANCHES
Three of the seven Branches in CEPU have indicated opposition to the new EBA. The NSW Postal Branch has been advocating a YES vote. We do not agree. Telstra didn't wait for the CEPU to tick off a ballot. It announced the dates before the CEPU hook-up.
Once again Telstra staff will vote on the EBA. The EBA allows for:
1. Movement to a subsidiary - subject to conditions
2. Forced taking of some LSL - subject to conditions
3. Removal of Zing
4. A 1.8% pay rise this year and 2% next year.
5. A 2 year duration
We appear to have moved backwards! Watch our web page for more details

VIC T&S BULLETIN - TELSTRA EBA
John Ellery (Vic T&S) is a member of the CEPU negotiating Committee. This is the view of his Branch.
What does the future look like for Telstra? Telstra have indicated that if they are to be in the running at buying the NBN Co that it would need to be a "non-vertically integrated" company. Non-integrated simply means a split up Telstra. The Telstra we know today could be broken up into a number of subsidiaries which would likely have different terms and conditions from the Telstra conditions. So why would the Union be wanting to facilitate this?
There is no guarantee that the Government would sell NBN Co to a wholly owned subsidiary of Telstra. There is much speculation as to what it could mean for employees of a remnant Telstra, or a proposed subsidiary.
So, What happens if Telstra aren't successful in buying NBN Co through the proposed InfraCo Pty Ltd deal with the government?
Who knows? - the crystal ball will be working overtime. A similar situation occurred with NDC LTd around 20 years ago, when the NDC business unit of Telstra transferred to a wholly owned subsidiary. The potential buyer of NDC Ltd pulled out and Telstra employees then either took a redundancy or were reabsorbed back into Telstra. However, times and circumstances are considerably different now, so the future is very uncertain.
We now know Telstra and some of the bargaining team are keen to finalise the Agreement because Telstra wrote to their employees before the final sign off from the unions. The access period to view the proposed Enterprise Agreement commences this Sunday and the vote commences Monday 2nd December. It will only be open for 5 days.
The much quoted "SBU" - What is it? There are three unions that cover the Telstra Enterprise Agreement; the CEPU Communications Division, the CPSU Telecommunications Group, and Professionals Australia (previously APESMA).
These three Unions are the default bargaining agents for their respective members, in accordance with the Fair Work Act. In addition, there are individually appointed bargaining agents who are representing themselves or some Telstra employees who appointed them, via a signed bargaining agent form.
In the Telstra EBA context, the SBU is an informal arrangement, and a convenient way for Telstra to refer to the 3 Union group. It was coined this term before the Fair Work Act introduced individual bargaining agents.
Each bargaining representative has the same equal status, with the right to agree or disagree with various decisions.

TELSTRA EBA VOTING TIMETABLE
Telstra says "Now that we've got support from the Telstra unions to do so, we'll be moving to a formal vote on our Enterprise Agreement". They were quick off the mark.
Sun 24 Nov to Sun 1 Dec - Formal access period - for you to read the EBA
Mon 2 Dec to Fri 6 Dec - Voting by web site - Voting closes at 1pm.
Friday 6 Dec - declaration of result.

TELSTRA CLASSIFICATIONS
Thanks to members who have given us some information on classifications. We (our Branch and the Vic T&S Branch) have written to Telstra seeking a meeting to discuss the classifications. We will advise.

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.