SHORT UPDATES

Telstra Optical Fibre classification - our claim for the upgrading of a member is proceeding as we are preparing witness statement or filing in the court in about one week's time.

ESTA Mentoring Allowance: The Melbourne Magistrates Court upheld our claim that Trainers be paid the allowance. Orders were made including a penalty for $30,000. ESTA filed an appeal in the Federal Court last week.

Optus Shift Handover: We met with Optus this week to press our claim for payment for time when staff are handing over from shift to shift. We intend to take action in the Courts if the claim is refused.

VALE JOHN BARON - LIFE MEMBER

The Retired Members Association is sad to report the passing of RTEA member John Baron on the 13th of this month. John was an Honorary Life Member of the ATEA and joined the RMA as it was then, in 1985. He was 86 Years old.
John's son, Lawrence, advised of the passing of his father. John's Funeral will be held next Monday 28th at 10.30am at South Chapel, Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Leppington. It is an RSL conducted service so medals may be worn if appropriate. He asked that trade unionists in particular attend. There is a wake after at 1.00pm at Mt Pritchard Community Club. All Welcome. Bruce Muirhead Secretary RTEA.

JOINING CWU

Union membership provides many benefits. One of the benefits is the provision of advice and representation when an issue arises in the workplace. Our Branch provides direct access to an experienced labour lawyer and many use this benefit. One matter we debate internally is the situation where we receive an application to join when there is a workplace problem in existence. One view is that we should reject the application. In one case a member resigned after 3 months after we had assisted the member and resolved his problem.
Our Committee of Management when considering whether or not to accept an application, currently requires that applications from those with issues pay a year of membership fees up front.