TELSTRA PROTECTED ACTION BALLOT - VOTE YES
We assume that by now you have received ballot papers from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). It is critical that you vote and return the ballot paper to the AEC. We urge you to vote yes to improve our negotiating power, so that we can achieve a better EBA.

HAVE YOU VOTED? - EMAIL "VOTED"
You may be contacted by members of our Committee of Management and other activists encouraging you to return your ballot paper with a YES vote. Or you can help us and email (by reply or to CWU Email ) with one word "voted". NOTE: Do not send ballots to us - the AEC runs the ballot.

WHO CAN TAKE INDUSTRIAL ACTION?
Only CWU members can take industrial action if it occurs. Talk to your fellow workers - make sure that they are CWU members who can support you. There is a membership form here. Note that no other union is undertaking a ballot so they will not take action with us.

NO BALLOT PAPER?
We provided a list of members and addresses to the AEC. If you have not received a ballot paper, the most likely reason is that your postal address does not match the postal address provided to the AEC by Telstra. Unfortunately, the AEC does not tell us of mis-matches. We do not see the Telstra list and Telstra does see our list. The voting list is confidential and we do not see it.

WHAT IS A PROTECTED ACTION BALLOT?
Under our law, members must approve all types of industrial action. The AEC conducts a ballot. If 50% vote and 50% approve of the actions, then we give Telstra 3 day's notice of any form of approved action we intend to take.

WHO IS CEPU AND CWU?
The short answer - CWU in the trading name of the Communications Division of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU). Most Branches use CWU as their name.

The long answer - In 1992, three major unions amalgamated to form CEPU. We created 3 Divisions -
(1) Communications (Telecom and Postal),
(2) Electrical and
(3) Plumbing.

The Electrical Division trades as Electrical Trades Union (ETU). We operate as Communications Union (CWU). Similarly for the Plumbing Union. The amalgamation has never prospered. In recent times there has been litigation between the Divisions. We still effectively operate as 3 unions within CEPU.

POST - SYDNEY PARCELS MEETING
We met with Post last week to resolve a number of disputes involving rosters. We believe some progress has been made and will meet again in 2 weeks. The list of issues was set out in last week's bulletin.

POST - SYDNEY PARCELS MINIMUM STAFF
We gained an interim commitment on minimum numbers to be rostered on shifts.
Day shift is 5 technicians (including team leader) for operational support. This number must be maintained as a minimum. An additional 5 positions are allocated for plant maintenance. The maintenance group may include apprentices but must be maintained at 5 technical personnel as a minimum.
Afternoon shift is 6 technicians for operational support and maintenance. The number of 6 includes the team leader and must be maintained as a minimum.
Night shift is 6 technicians for operational support and maintenance. The number of 6 includes the team leader and must be retained as a minimum.
The weekend roster numbers were not discussed but we expect POST will not vary them until negotiations are complete and agreement has been reached.

POST - SYDNEY PARCELS SHIFT SWAPS
One issue was the restriction on shift swaps. We argued that we do not need an 18 page document to arrange a swap. We put forward 4 principles: 1. That shift swaps between staff of equal skills be unfettered. 2. That shift swaps between staff of unequal skills also be allowed subject to maintenance of team skills 3. .That the Team Leader be informed of swaps. 4. That if there is an objection to a swap the onus is on Post to establish a valid reason. We expect a response within 2 weeks.

TELSTRA - MORE REDUNDANCIES
Once more we are seeing Telstra slash staff for many reasons that make no sense. This time there is a net reduction of 405 roles proposed. Wouldn't it be great if their efforts and money were directed at growing the business and improving service. The redundancies have not yet been confirmed. Members with issues should contact us by return email or phone.

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