TELSTRA LEAVE
Telstra announced they will be focusing on reducing their excessive leave liability (Annual and LSL). This is a separate initiative from the general Covid-19 leave request. This initiative by Telstra suggests that some employees have an excessive leave balance and are simply not taking regular time off and allegedly this has resulted in high leave balances and they suggest they need to take steps to minimises this cost in running their business. Telstra may approach members who have accrued more than 60 days annual leave and/or 90 days LSL to discuss options to take leave between now and December to reduce members leave balances. Please advise if you have and difficulties.

ACTU ON THE ENSURING INTEGRITY LEGISLATION
Two Prime Ministers and three Industrial Relations Ministers tried to pass it and this week they finally stopped. Thanks to your efforts Ensuring Integrity is off the agenda. Working people in Australia have had the threat of the so called "Ensuring Integrity" Bill hanging over our heads, threatening to break up our unions, to strip away our democratic rights and make it harder to win secure jobs and fair pay. As of this week that threat is gone.

Not only did you beat back every attempt to make it law in the parliament, you have shown the Government throughout the pandemic that Australia only works because of working people. The announcement that the union bashing bill has been withdrawn provides us an opportunity to focus on the real issues faced by working people. Secure jobs, fair pay and safe workplaces. Congratulations.

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
Our union cannot continue without your support. While court cases and FWC disputes can solve some matters, bargaining power depends on union strength. We have lost a lot of members to redundancy. Yet there are still many staff out there who are not supporting you through a union. Talk to your work colleagues and ask them to be part of the movement to defend your employments rights and expectations. Email me for a membership form.

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 365 433 reception@cwunion.net Administrative eg payments, applications, change of details

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