DOWNER AND SERVICE STREAM MEMBERS - VIP MESSAGE
We are about to begin EBA negotiations with Downer and Service Stream and we need to update our records. If you work for Downer or Service stream, please reply by return email so that we can update our records and keep you involved.

CANBERRA RDO AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Telstra has rejected our claim that Canberra staff were entitled to a Canberra public holiday whilst working in Canberra. Telstra said:

Confirming that Telstra remains firm on the position that Canberra is not the usual work location for these employees and therefore are only entitled to the public holidays of their usual work location. The same would apply in the reverse scenario, where we have an ACT based employee performing work up in Sydney - they would remain entitled to their ACT public holidays.

Our members have been in Canberra since October and will be there till at least June this year. Artificial manipulation of RDOs was used. We intend to challenge the decision,

TRIPLE ZERO PRIVACY BREACH
We have responded in this ongoing matter. We said:

Members are not convinced with your response. They report that it is too much of a coincidence that many staff (since March) have been getting unsolicited calls and quite a few calls addressed personally.
One manager advised that some personal information had been leaked including personal phone numbers.
Furthermore, when the breach was reported to the manager, she expressed major concern and had to contact Risk about the exposure. (The Manager) advised staff who knew about this not to discuss this matter with anyone. We understand that this was the response to suppress the information whilst it was being investigated.
You have not advised why this workday link needed to be attached to a job advertisement giving access to Telstra staff globally. It also gave access to agency staff. The access was available for several days before it was reported.
Staff report that the private information that they access when clicking on the link includes
• managers feedback to staff,
• reports,
• scorecards,
• QA call failures,
• sick leave information
  Much of the material that was accessible now comes up with No Item Available to view.
  Given the seriousness of these concerns, we insist that staff be briefed don the breach and the extent of the breach.
  If this is not done we will escalate the matter.

VENTIA EBA APPROVED BY STAFF
Ventia has advised that its staff have accepted the EBA and it will now go to the FWC for approval. We have posted the EBA and a summary on our website. See Ventia EBA Home Page

TELSTRA WORKERS COMPENSATION
Telstra is moving ahead at a rapid pace to proceed with the break up. We have been advised that Telstra plan that the subsidiaries remain with Comcare. Telstra advised:

Under the Commonwealth workers' compensation scheme, Telstra Corporation is licensed to meet the cost of our workers' compensation liabilities and manage our own compensation claims. This license will transition to InfraCo Fixed as part of our new proposed legal restructure.
Given we expect the majority of people who aren't in our International or InfraCo teams to move into ServeCo, we propose to apply to the Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission for a new self-insurance license with the same provisions to cover ServeCo (subject to preliminary Government approval to apply). If our application is approved, this will mean that we maintain the same arrangements as we have today.

ACTU ON INDUSTRIAL MANSLAUGHTER
Every year 200 Australians are killed at work. Thousands more will die from diseases that are caused by their work. And each year more than 100,000 workers are seriously physically or mentally injured at work.
Most workers don't die of mystery ailments or in tragic accidents. They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn't that important a priority. Every worker has the right to a safe job.
It's time we had work health and safety laws that hold employers accountable. It's time for a national industrial manslaughter law. It's now up to Industrial Relations Minister Michaelia Cash and Prime Minister Scott Morrison to commit to passing laws that make killing workers an offence.

OPTUS REDUNDANCIES
Optus has advised on another 54 redundancies over several business units The majority were in Optus Enterprise (31), Optus Wholesale and Satellite (12). If you are affected by these initiatives and you need assistance, please call us on the number below.

MIRAIT EBA LATEST
Negotiations continued without agreement. MRA advised:

We will provide all EA covered employees with a 2.5% increase in July of this year (regardless of whether they are above their EA classification) and we apply the conditions proposed previously for each subsequent year of the agreement.

We have continued to press for RDOs. And we want a guaranteed increase each year if we have a 4 years agreement. At this stage we are seeking clarification of the new salaries. Their offer is complex.

POST SPF POSITION
There has been further movement in the discussions. We will consult members during this week to determine whether we have an acceptable agreement.

TELSTRA AWA ITEA OFFERS
Members on AWAs and ITEAs received letters this week with their offers to replace the individual contracts. We have several complaints already, and we will address these. The offers are disturbing. Telstra is effectively removing the choice by offering Workstream salaries about 15% lower than offered under their favoured Job Family for the SAME job. Telstra stated:

We provided our AWA/ITEA employees with a letter outlining their terms and conditions (including pay) under the Telstra EA. These terms and conditions will only apply following the termination of their AWA/ITEA, which is on 6 July 2021.
Employees who were eligible to receive both a Workstream and Job Family offer were provided information on both work models and have been asked to make an election on which work model they wish to move to by 9 May 2021.
So far we have been seen a positive response to these letters.

USEFUL QUICK LINKS Transferring to Telstra subsidiaries Terminating AWAs in 2021 Forced ARL Fact Sheet Forced LSL Fact Sheet Telstra EBA Notes Telstra EBA19 Undertakings

Superannuation Fact Sheet Optus EBA18 Post EBA9 0428 942 878 dan.dwyer@cwunion.net Dan Dwyer Secretary/Lawyer - 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.