FALSE MISLEADING STATEMENTS - BY WHOM?
Last week saw a joint concerted campaign by Shane Murphy and Telstra (Darren Fewster) to condemn our Branch Secretary - why - because we believe
(a) that Telstra can afford at least a 3% pay rise and
(b) you don't get a 3% pay rise by asking for 2.5%.
How dare Mr Dwyer point out the mistake that Mr Murphy made in bargaining? How dare Mr Dwyer ask when did members agree to put a 2.5% pay rise? Well we dare because members must come first. The Union is open for debate. It should not be a dictatorship! And we don't want Telstra interfering in an internal debate.

CORRECT THE RECORD
Let's analyse the bargaining mistake. Mr Murphy explains that it wasn't him. He said in his Bulletin that "(Mr Ellery) supported the making of the offer during the bargaining meeting."
With his extensive bargaining experience, Mr Ellery would not make that mistake. John Ellery in his Bulletin put a different scenario saying:

"it was agreed last Monday by negotiators from all the Unions involved that the absolute bottom line on any pay offer that could be endorsed would be a figure of 2.5% plus some form of either back pay to October 1, 2018, or a "sign on" payment (which should be subject to member approval). However, we were not going to indicate this to Telstra at the first meeting on Tuesday due to tactical considerations." See the Bulletin

MORE ON THE PAY SITUATION
John Ellery in his Bulletin also said:

Telstra are currently considering the counter offer and currently hold the whip hand. Clearly, we have put a formal lower "offer" of 2.5% plus a sign on bonus (not a "rock bottom line" number as previously discussed with the SBU caucus on Monday) and we have handed over control of the negotiations to Telstra - their timing, their delay, and we have no pressure on them via our only limited method - protected industrial action. To have placed a figure in front of Telstra, at that stage of the negotiations, was clearly the wrong strategy
- for instance - where do we go from here? - without a serious re-boot of our claim (and a possible return to the trenches) we are in the hands of Telstra. Things need to change urgently because 1.5% is totally unacceptable. In addition, those members on the "Job Family" variable pay arrangement (the so called Compa ratio table using a "pay pool" ) is totally unacceptable - they don't even provide a guaranteed 1.5% pay rise for a large number of staff, and a discounted pay rise for others - all determined by the boss. At the least, we need a minimum guarantee of a pay rise (ie not 0% for these staff). See the Bulletin

OUR TUESDAY HOOK-UP UNDERMINED
Three Branches of CEPU have been informing members through the Tuesday evening phone hook-ups. The 3 Branches were Vic T&S, Vic P&T and NSW T&S. John Ellery reported (in Part) as follows:

Last Tue night, during a notified Special Phone Hook -up of Vic T&S and P&T members and NSW T&S, considerable disruption was caused to the meeting (as it was the previous week) by an anonymous supposed "North Eastern Victorian" member.
As a result, the decision was made to terminate the hook up because of the nature and flavor of the statements being made, and the way the hook up had degenerated, and the way some members of other branches (including officials) had decided to interfere in our legitimate feedback to our members.
It was fairly apparent that this was the same person who disrupted the previous week's phone hookup, and he was supplemented by a further collection of individuals (choosing to remain anonymous aside from 1 Queensland Branch official). After analysis of the dial in list, it was apparent that the individual/s concerned are not members of either the Vic branches, nor the NSW T&S Branch, and as such, their anonymous presence gives rise to questions about the nature of their intervention.
It would appear the disruption was orchestrated by an escalation of conflicting views between officials of the Union in relation to the Telstra EBA strategy, including the bargaining strategy following the current return to the EBA negotiation table. See the Bulletin

TELL US YOUR VIEWS ON THE EBA
In conjunction with the Vic Branches we have a short online survey where you can give us feedback. The feedback is confidential and will not be used for any other purpose. Go to www.bit.ly/nswbranchebafeedback to participate.

SILCAR/VISIONSTREAM RESTRUCTURE AND JOB CUTS
Silcar has provided formal notice of changes anticipated in Fixed Networks (FNS) business, specifically in relation to employees covered by the Visionstream Fieldwork EBA 2014 and legacy Silcar conditions. If you have any concerns, please contact us. Silcar stated (in part):

There are approximately 400 employees in FNS; There will be a significant reduction in work-order volumes for FNS from May onwards; We anticipate 50% of roles in Fixed Networks (approx 200 roles) at all levels and locations may be impacted from May; Of the 200 roles, we anticipate approx. 50 fieldwork roles may be impacted. Although there are 200 roles likely to be impacted, this does not necessarily mean that 200 employees will be leaving the business. We are hopeful to redeploy employees across VPL and Ventia and we will be sharing more information on this with employees next week; and the changes are not due to any offshoring or outsourcing of design work.

ACTU STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF BOB HAWKE
As a leader of our nation and of our movement, Bob was a hero to working people - an architect of the accords, the father of Medicare, and a founder of universal superannuation. The Australian union movement has enormous pride that a great and respected representative of working people and ACTU President went on to become a loved and legendary Australian Prime Minister. Millions of working people owe their health, their prosperity and their dignity in retirement to Bob's work. All our thoughts and sympathy are with Bob's family and loved ones during this time. The entire union family is grieving as are all Australians. We will never forget him. Solidarity and Vale Bob Hawke

POST SPF TCM MEETING
Last week we met with Post to deal with a number of issues. OHS was a major matter as we pressed Post to do something about the issues t hat had been on the agenda for years. Roster manning levels were another contentious issue. Post indicated that there is no change to the existing levels. It was clear that Post wish to make changes but met significant resistance. These matters were to be raised again at Local Working Group (LWG) meetings. We pressed for removal of the requirement to give 1 week's notice of a shift swap. We were not supported. However Post did say that they would not stop notice of swaps less than 1 week.

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.