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Petroleum

Telstra Workers' Union to Discuss Nationwide Strike Action

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Negotiations between the Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) and Telstra management have been ongoing for 13 months, with the CEPU requesting an 8 percent annual wage rise and increased job security for its 50,000 members. The union claims that Telstra's refusal to negotiate a fair enterprise agreement is unreasonable, given the company's recent announcement of a $3 billion profit. As the week of rolling walk-outs comes to an end, the CEPU will meet to discuss the possibility of a nationwide strike, which could potentially shut down Telstra's communications systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CEPU has been negotiating with Telstra management for 13 months, with no agreement reached on wage rises and job security.
  • The union is requesting an 8 percent annual wage rise, while Telstra is offering 4 percent.
  • The CEPU claims that Telstra's refusal to negotiate a fair enterprise agreement is unreasonable, given the company's $3 billion profit announcement.
  • The strikes have already achieved a victory for some Brisbane workers, with Telstra delaying the move of its local network alarm systems to Melbourne.
  • The construction workers and 013 operators are the last of the workers to strike and will return to work at 7am tomorrow.
  • Telstra has a contingency plan in place to minimize disruption in the event of a nationwide strike.

Statistics:

  • 50,000 workers are part of the CEPU and are involved in the negotiations.
  • 13 months of negotiations have failed to reach an agreement between the CEPU and Telstra management.
  • The CEPU is requesting an 8 percent annual wage rise, while Telstra is offering 4 percent.
  • Telstra has announced a $3 billion profit, despite the union's claims of poor working conditions and job security.
  • The strikes have already had an impact, with Telstra delaying the move of its local network alarm systems to Melbourne.

Sources:

  • SWANWICK J THE Telstra workers' union will discuss simultaneous nation-wide strike action when a week of rolling walk-outs ends tomorrow. (Source: no specific publication date, The Courier-Mail or The Daily Telegraph)
  • Commissioner Hodder's ruling relied on the AIRC's rarely-used powers to make special awards to protect employees from suffering harsh or unjust treatment in industrial disputes involving exceptional matters. (Source: Australian Industrial Relations Commission)
  • Commissioner Hodder said the decision raising questions of "jurisdiction, conformity with statutory directions, public interest, principle and merit" was a misuse of arbitral power. (Source: no specific publication date, Queensland Business Bulletin)

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