INTRODUCTION

10 July 2007:
A new report by visiting Canadian economist Dr Jim Stanford debunks the myth that AWA individual contracts are somehow a necessary part of Australia's mining boom. The report shows that productivity actually declined in Australian mining since the introduction of AWAs. It also indicates that getting rid of AWAs - as Labor Party Leader Kevin Rudd proposes - will not undermine future investment in mining projects. See Full Report

TELSTRA INTRODUCTION

Telstra has issued AWAs to many Managers and Staff. Generally the AWAs are identical, with only salary as a differential. Many have NOT signed the AWAs. None are tailored to you personally, and no changes have been allowed.

There seems to be some expectation that these are good for Telstra and good for you. We have analysed the AWA and this will let you have some advance knowledge of what you will soon face. We have found some significant problems with the AWAs. And the clauses keep changing. While the change may be subtle, the effect is significant.

Award staff have many many rights. The AWA removes virtually every right and converts existing rights to "rewards". These "rewards" are just discretions that Telstra can refuse or vary. Nevertheless, if the money is good enough, we can overlook the master servant ideology and sign the AWA. It is an individual decision. It will not suit many, but it will suit some.

We do not advocate a "Do not sign" policy. What we do advocate is "GET ADVICE".