TELSTRA CLASSIFICATIONS
We have reported previously that Telstra has secretly reclassified a number of members. We have a meeting with Telstra this week to press for more details and seek restoration of the original classifications.

AUS POST MATTERS
Talks continue at SPF to resolve staffing levels and practices at SGF. Canberra is undergoing a restructure of technical staff which we are monitoring. We will be meeting with SWLF in early March.

HOLDEN CARS GONE FOREVER
Seven years after the Abbott Government ended the car manufacturing industry in Australia GM has killed off the Holden brand, ending a 160-year run in Australia. Sales of all Holden models and all remaining design and engineering work will be wound up by 2021. Manufacturing has been steadily eroded by conservative governments who refuse to do what is necessary to protect Australian jobs and maintain a strong, local manufacturing sector. This represents the loss of an iconic Australian brand, and job losses for hundreds of workers before the end of the year. The Union movement stands with all Holden workers who are facing an uncertain future thanks to the policies of the Morrison Government.

WAGE THEFT WILL CONTINUE
The Morrison Government has made it clear it will not address the root causes of wage theft. Wage theft exists because the rights of working people have been eroded by a Government which has made attacking working people and their unions a number one priority. The rights of unions to inspect pay records and conduct compliance checks, once understood to be essential to ensuring fair pay and treatment of working people has been stripped back. It is no coincidence that since unions have been limited in their rights to inspect records and conduct spot-checks in workplaces, wage theft has risen to a national crisis. Unions stop wage theft because they protect the basic rights of working people. Wage theft has become a business model because employers know the likelihood of being caught is low and the possibly of being punished even if caught is remote. Workers need unions in their workplaces, inspecting pay records and holding employers to account, backed by laws which would impose meaningful penalties on employers who steal from workers.

HELP FIGHT WAGE THEFT
In the last week we have seen one big business boss defend George Colombaris, another one claim that it's too complicated for multi-billion dollar companies to pay people properly and a former global oil company executive launch a campaign to support the Morrison government's union busting laws. Now more than ever we need unions in workplaces to check wages, to help people quickly and easily recover stolen wages and to make sure our workplaces are safe.

It's time to speak up and tell the cross bench senators to stop union busting laws by sending them an email here.

Despite the daily wage theft scandals, despite ordinary Australians who join unions winning more secure work and better pay, the Morrison government is still siding with the big business lobbyists and trying to shut down unions. They could put the Ensuring Integrity Bill to a vote any day now.

Big business bosses are ramping up their anti-worker campaign. They are trying to justify wage theft, trying to demonise workers in unions and trying to convince the cross bench senators to support the Morrison government's union busting laws. We need to send a clear message to reject the big business campaign here.

Working people are telling their story about how being in a union has helped secure their job, lifted their wages and made their workplace safer. Share the story of everyday working people with your friends, family and co-workers by sharing this video.

Wage theft is bad for everyone; workers who don't get their legal entitlements and the employers who do the right thing and face unfair competition. Despite this, big business lobbyists are still supporting laws that would give wage thieves a free pass and force unions out of the workplace.

In solidarity Michele O'Neil ACTU President

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 365 443 reception@cwunion.net Administrative eg payments, applications, change of details

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