TELSTRA EBA HOOK-UP
Monitor our HOME PAGE for details of the next hook-up.

TELSTRA RE-EMPLOYMENT POLICY
We reported in earlier Bulletins the problem associated with the Telstra Re-engagement policy. In short Telstra placed restrictions on redundant employees. See Bulletin 20 and Bulletin 22. Our Branch notified the Fair Work Commission of a dispute. Telstra objected and the matter was listed for hearing this week to determine the objection. However Telstra has now notified that a new draft policy is being approved. While we have yet to discuss the details, the new policy appears to be a significant improvement. As a result, we have deferred the hearing and will discuss the policy this week. We will advise of the outcome.

LONG SERVICE LEAVE 9-24 DAYS
Telstra is issuing instructions again. We oppose such directions. The latest appears to be:

Effective 1st Jan 2020, managers may direct employees to take LSL if they have more than 90 calendar days accrued, provided that:
+ The employee is provided at least 3 months' notice of the requirement to take LSL; and
+ The manager considers individual circumstances raised by the employee. Examples of individual circumstances that will be taken into account include family/carer responsibilities, plans for a longer holiday or an event (e.g., wedding) and the impact on work group/team in terms of resourcing.
Employees must not be required to reduce their accrued LSL balance to less than 90 calendar days, or to take more than 24 calendar days LSL in a calendar year. This includes the 9 days of additional LSL accrued in a calendar year (i.e., 9 + 15 days in a calendar year). If a manager wishes to direct employees to take leave, they must contact AskHR.

PAY CAPS HURTING ECONOMY
Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe has blown the whistle on the Morrison Govt's direct role in suppressing the wages of working people. Testifying before the House of Representatives, Dr Lowe said: "Caps on wages growth in public sectors right across the country are another factor contributing to the subdued wage outcomes. My view is that a further pickup in wages growth is both affordable and desirable."

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - CALL CENTRES
The EBA states at clause 19.2: Rest breaks

a) If you work in a contact centre you are entitled to paid rest breaks in accordance with these provisions.
b) If you work in a contact centre (except E000) for a period of less than 5 hours without an unpaid meal break, you can take one 15 minute rest break.
c) If you work in a contact centre (except E000) for a period of at least 5 hours and less than 7 hours, you can take an unpaid meal break and one 15 minute rest break.
d) If you work in a contact centre (except E000) for a period of at least 7 hours, you can take an unpaid meal break and two 10 minute (minimum) rest breaks.
e) Telstra will schedule the timing of your breaks reasonably, so that you do not have to work more than 2-3 hours without a break.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - TRIPLE 0
Rest Breaks: Cl 19.2 (f) of the EBA states:

If you work in E000:
i) you can take up to two 15 minute and three 10 minute rest breaks;
ii) we will ensure you won't work longer than 70 minutes without having a rest break; and
iii) one rest break per day can be used for management or training purposes.

VISIONSTREAM EBA
Visionstream members vote NO by 149 to 143. Our Union is meeting next week to discuss our position and re members' issues.

AUS POST BIG DEAL
Post and Qantas have struck a $1.4 billion deal that will see the airline introduce three new Airbus freighters to its network to help meet Australia's surging demand for online shopping. Under the 7-year agreement, Post will continue to have access to Qantas' dedicated freighter airline network, with Qantas will also invest in 3 new Airbus A321P2F cargo jets, which boast a holding capacity of 208 cubic metres and can ship nearly 28 tonnes.

EBA CLAUSE 45
The only option fully supported by the SBU, to transfer employees via secondment, has again been rejected by Telstra - who cited administrative difficulties. Telstra has now proposed the preservation of retrenchment benefits. Redundancy benefits would be preserved, by contract, upon transfer and would ensure that any offer of employment with a subsidiary via Clause 45 would not be deemed `suitable' unless it provided this preservation of the calculation of your current redundancy benefits. The SBU is considering the proposal. There was no mention of the 38 hour week, 15 days sick leave etc!

TELSTRA PAY
Telstra has revealed to the SBU that should an agreement for a new EBA not be reached and approved prior to 1 Oct 19, they propose to increase fixed wages by a further 1.5%. For Workstream employees - a 1.5% increase to fixed remuneration will be realised. However, for Job Family employees, a 1.5% pay pool will apply to be distributed according to the matrix - with an actual increase range of 0% - 2%.

OPTUS REDUNDANCIES AFTER HFC NETWORK SHUT
In 2016, NBN announced that they were preparing to deploy fibre-to the-distribution point which would result in NBN no longer using the existing Optus Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) assets other than those in Redcliffe, Qld. Given the NBN decision, Optus has continued to operate and maintain the Redcliffe HFC network prior to finalising all the necessary upgrades and migrating or disconnecting all remaining HFC customers in Redcliffe. The finalisation of the Redcliffe HFC network handover to NBN is currently on track to occur on 12 Aug 2019. Optus identified 25 roles and people whose roles will likely be impacted by redundancy as a result. These positions are spread across NSW (15), Vic (7), and Qld (3). Optus is assisting the affected staff. However, should any member require assistance, please contact us asap.

BE A SAFE WORK CHAMPION
A campaign kit for the 2019 National Safe Work Month is now available from Safe Work Australia. Safe Work Australia advises the campaign kit will benefit workers in promoting a safety culture at their workplaces. The kit includes an NSWM brand kit, posters, editable posters, flyers, web graphics, infographics and a fact sheet, which are both coming soon. This year's theme is "Be a Safety Champion".
"This year, we want to let everyone know that anyone can be a champion for work health and safety. Anyone can Be a Safety Champion - workers, employers, and organisations, from any industry, can all champion work health and safety at their workplace every day," said Safe Work Australia CEO Michelle Baxter. See SWA Web Page

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
0447 265 443 reception@cwunion.net Administrative eg payments, applications, change of details

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