OPTICAL FIBRE CLASSIFICATION

Last week we participated in a Court mediation with Telstra to resolve our claim re the upgrading of an Optical Fibre member. We are seeking PTO5 or PTO7. The matter could not be resolved. It will now be programmed for a hearing before the Court later this year.

TELSTRA STARLINK WORK

Telstra has announced a deal with Starlink to provide broadband connections to mainly regional customers. It is expected to be a growth area for Telstra. Telstra is effectively a retailer of the Starlink internet product. Some 300 field technical staff have been trained so far. As installation occurs at customer's premises, working at heights is a relevant safety issue, and is addressed in the training.

STARLINK IN OPERATION

Starlink is owned by Elon Musk's companies and associated with SpaceX. It will involve thousands of low orbit satellites which communicate with Starlink ground stations. Customers are connected to the Starlink earth stations via radio links. The usual connection is a panel aerial on the customers premises. Speeds available, according to Starlink are up to 100mbps. Telstra will install the aerial and associated black boxes.

TELSTRA DRIVER BEHAVIOUR

Telstra is undertaking a review aimed at improving patterns of behaviour by Telstra drivers. Telstra talks about "conversations" with employees who have a pattern of behaviour that conflicts with Telstra "values". Telstra already has a number of "exception" reports - basically flags when speeding, out of area etc. So it is a concern when we think about the motive behind this new initiative. Notwithstanding, take care with your safety.

SPF PTO7 JOBS TO BE READVERTISED

Given the confusion we reported last week, Post has taken corrective action. Their response stated:

Thank you for your email - we provide the following:
• We have arranged for the PTO 7 Team Leader role to be re-advertised and we will communicate this with the team
• To clarify, there are 3 PTO 7 Team Leader positions in the structure at SPF and we are advertising 1 position but will fill all 3 via that process
• If a team member is interested in the role, they will need to apply and undergo the selection process
• Please clarify where in the EBA it sets-out that an electrician licence is an essential qualification for a Team Leader, can I get the clause?
• Mr (G) will not be involved in the PTO 7 Team Leader selection process

TELSTRA REMOTE LOCALITIES CHANGES

Following consultation, we have been advised of proposed changes to remote conditions. The Telstra advice stated:

(Telstra) will follow the methodology set out in the Australian Public Service Enterprise Award 2015, and do not propose to make changes to the methodology. Currently we have 93 eligible employees across 47 eligible locations.
Summary of Key Changes
• On review, 18 of these locations are to be upgraded.
• 2 locations are to be downgraded the current benefits will be maintained for existing employees
• A further 37 locations are to be reviewed and regraded for any future requirements.
• District allowance - we are proposing an increase of33%to the current rates.
• Subsidies for utilities-we are proposing an overall increase of over150%to the current rates
• Additional Annual Leave - current entitlements remain unchanged
• Airfare assistance-current benefit remains unchanged

DISTRICT ALLOWANCE RATES

Local	Current DA 	Proposed DA	Current DA	Proposed DA
Grade	(With dependent	With dependent	W/o dependent	W/o dependent
1	$9,029		$11,989		$5,585		$7,415
2	$6,135		$ 8,146		$3,487		$4,630
3	$4,529		$ 6,013		$2,474		$3,285
4	$1,853		$ 2,461		$  993		$1,318 

Locality	State	Current Grade	Proposed Grade	New Grade vs Old
Hay (NSW)	NSW	4		3		Higher
Cobar		NSW	4		2		Higher
Condobolin	NSW	4		2		Higher
Jindabyne	NSW	N/A		4		Higher
Nyngan		NSW	4		2		Higher
Broken Hill	NSW	4		4		No Change
Coonabarabran	NSW	4		4		No Change
Moree		NSW	4		4		No Change
Narrabri	NSW	4		4		No Change

OPTUS SHIFT CONTROLLERS

We recently exercised our Right of Entry powers to visit the Optus Belrose site to investigate a suspected breach of the EBA. We were able to interview staff on the job and ask various questions. After the visit, we wrote to Optus seeking a meeting to discuss the failure to pay staff for shift handover time. Our letter stated:

We refer to my recent emails re shift handover. We are now convinced of the following:
• That shift staff are required (or by necessity) to undertake a handover at the start and end of a shift.
• That the approximate average time would be about 15 minutes.
• That Satellite Controllers are not paid overtime for the handover.
• That Satellite Controllers have not made request to have time in lieu (as per the EBA)
• That the roster over the settlement period averages about 76 hours per fortnight.
• That Satellite Controllers (along with all shiftworkers in operational areas) do not have an unpaid lunch break and need to remain on the job at all times.