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CWU T&S WEEKLY BULLETIN NO 2019/ 09
29 MAR 2019

TELSTRA MEMBERS PHONE HOOKUP
Join our T&S hook-up this Tuesday evening to discuss the EBA campaign, hear reports, ask questions and hear of new bans next week. Vic T&S Secretary John Ellery will be available to answer questions as well. No PIN needed.
6 PM TUESDAY 2 APRIL on 02 9696 0774 or 1300 289 804 - the Host code is 8181 3963#

CURRENT TELSTRA PROTECTED INDUSTRIAL ACTION
We have a page which will be kept updated as soon as any changes occur. See the Current Protected Industrial Action Page. Watch the page as some changes have been made at short notice. For example the postal side of the union called off the uniform bans at 5.30pm last Monday just hours before the bans were to go into place.

UNION ELECTIONS - IMPORTANT NOTICE
The Australian Electoral Commission advises of the opening of nominations for the union elections this year. Elections are held every 4 years and all CEPU/CWU Divisional Office and Branch Office positions are subject to an election. The Union has no role in the running of the election and union resources cannot be used by candidates. See:
Election Notice
Nomination form for our Branch
Nomination Form for Divisional Office Positions

JOURNEY COVER - NOT A REAL BENEFIT TO MEMBERS
Members are telling us that the postal Branch is spruiking Journey Cover insurance as a benefit. We cancelled Journey Cover some years back when it became apparent we were paying big premiums for a product that was of zero benefit to members.
First, the fine print of the policy says members MUST use up all available leave (S/L, ARL etc) first before the Journey Cover payment would kick in. As the vast majority of our members are permanent employees with an accumulation of leave it was apparent that almost no one would ever qualify for payment.
Secondly, any employee with a Commuter use vehicle agreement is covered by law for injury to and from work. The vehicle is considered a tool of trade. You are considered "at work" and covered in the case if injury travelling to and from work.
Thirdly, if you are driving any vehicle, compulsory third party premiums cover you for personal injury payouts.
Fourthly, if using public transport, there are civil claims available to cover injury.
Our branch would rather spend your union contribution on something worthwhile like campaigning for better pay and conditions than waste it on products that don't work for our members.

TELSTRA SAVING 10% ON PAYROLL FOR 3 YEARS
Members in the defined benefit Super scheme will notice (in small print in your statement) that the Telstra contribution to your super has been reduced from 15% of your salary to 5% of your salary for the next 3 years. Thus Telstra is saving an amount of 10% of your salary for the next 3 years. This does not affect super benefit but it is a massive saving for Telstra! It makes a 4% pay rise look puny compared to their savings!

BAI RESTRUCTURE
We met with BAI this week to hear progress on the restructure and redundancies. BAI have not closed applications at that stage but appeared to be comfortable with progress. They will decide the redundancies early next week. We will meet with them again Monday. There is no change at the NOC for the GRS. The company's current proposal is 12 redundancies will occur by 5 April 2019 across all of Field Services with another 11 roles to be made redundant by 7 December. At this stage, 7 December is only indicative and is subject to change closer to the end of the year.

OPTUS ISSUES
We will meet soon to raise several issues with Optus arising from meetings of members at Belrose. These include shifts and classifications.

IS TELSTRA SERIOUS?
Amid the massive redundancy program, Telstra recently advertised jobs as follows:
"Telstra Graduate Program - Apply Now! You must be an Australian or NZ citizen or Australian permanent resident." As Australia's leading telecommunications and technology company, we believe the more connected people are, the more opportunities they have. That's why we help create a brilliant connected future for everyone. We know this promise starts with having the best team on board, which includes our next cohort of graduates. International students with visa subclass 500, 573 or 574 are eligible to apply for the technical pathways only. International Students studying a Masters must complete a minimum two year master's course at an Australian University. Telstra Graduate Program - Apply Now!

WORKING PEOPLE WIN AT CHEMIST'S WAREHOUSE
The ACTU has congratulated union members who stood up for their rights and won a fair workplace agreement in the Chemist's Warehouse distribution centres in Vic and Qld. After 16 days on strike, people working at Chemist's Warehouse reached an agreement with management that includes: All workers to get a 18.75% wage increase over 4 years, 8.75% of that will come within 2 weeks. Through classification changes, forklift drivers and trainers to get approximately 22.5% wage increase over 2 years; All casual labour hire members who have been on strike will get permanent jobs. ACTU President Michele O'Neil: "This is such an important win. Fair pay rises and secure jobs are at the heart of the Change the Rules campaign."

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
0428 942 878 reception@cwunion.net Administrative eg payments, applications, change of details

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



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