TELSTRA CLASSIFICATION
Telstra confirms that classifications have been altered. Telstra responded to our complaint that staff have been regraded to a lower classification and then paid an allowance. Telstra said: This change was communicated to the affected employees. (See Bulletin 39 for the full reply). Do you know how to find out your classification and whether you are being paid a Salary Maintenance (Workstream) Allowance? Please let us know of the results of your search.

POST SPF REVIEW
We wrote to Post as follows:

1. We hear that SWLF is still recruiting staff. This must be put on hold until there has been consultation on the SPF/SGF proposal and the consultation on the engineering review where there are technical redundancies proposed. We seek your urgent confirmation that the filling of new positions is on hold.
2. We have yet to be consulted on the SPF/SGF proposal. Our members are very strongly opposed to the proposal and we will outline our position once we receive the detailed proposal from you.

SPF RESPONSE
We received a prompt response from Post:

In reply to your questions as asked. The advertised roles which have been newly created are to support our Alexandria and Eastern Creek Facilities which are expected to come on line over the coming months. For your interest these had been posted some five weeks ago and published in our JIC, in which Technicians from SPF have submitted applications and are being interviewed. We have not considered the resourcing demand as yet for SGF activity which will fall under SWLF with the transition date to occur in the first week of the new calendar year. We are applying the approach as outlined to you and Mr Shane Murphy from the meeting 26 Sept chaired by Christian Jackson and confirmed by him in email 3 Oct to you.

ENGINEERING REVIEW
We wrote to Post and a meeting has been arranged for Wednesday. Our letter said:

1. We hear that SWLF is still recruiting staff. This must be put on hold until there has been consultation on the SPF/SGF proposal and the consultation on the engineering review where there are technical redundancies proposed. We seek your urgent confirmation that the filling of new positions is on hold.
2. We have yet to be consulted on the Engineering Review. Staff are reporting details of redundancies, EOIs and new positions. You have not called a meeting to consult and if you continue to proceed, we will need to initiate proceedings against Post and seek penalties. We seek your urgent response.

TRIPLE ZERO CONCERN
We wrote to Telstra as follows:

Our members have advised of signs in the workplace which state "Communications within this facility may be listened to or recorded". The warning is sweeping and contains no details. Would you please advise of the types of communications that may be "listened to or recorded" so that we assess whether there is a privacy issue. We understand that 000 calls are recorded but the sign implies that others may also be recorded.

TRIPLE ZERO RESPONSE

All Triple Zero Communications Centres are declared an "emergency service facility" under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 (the TIA Act). The requirements in section 6 through to 6(2H) of the TIA set out that the Minister must make a declaration, which allows the emergency services facility to listen to and record calls without breaching the TIA (the Declarations are made under section 6(2D)).
It is only the 000 Calls and the processing of these calls through to connection to ESO's (Police, Fire, Ambulance) that are recorded, including the Supervisor calls. We do this for the safety of callers. This has been done for all Telstra Triple Zero sites.

TELSTRA EBA HOOK-UP
Monitor our HOME PAGE for details of the next hook-up. The hook-up is hosted by John Ellery a member of the negotiating committee from our T&S Vic Branch. Next Meeting Wednesday 23 Oct 7.30pm.

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.