Communication Workers Union

WA TELSTRA TECHNICIANS ON STRIKE 
 

The Communications Workers Union has hit out at Telstra, as key WA technical employees walked out to show their anger and frustration over the company’s two tier pay arrangements which would see union negotiated agreement employees at least $14,000 worse off over the life of that agreement compared to their co workers on an employer non negotiated agreement. 

National Assistant Secretary Burt Blackburne claimed “The WA members views coincide with an independent survey of CEPU members Australia wide conducted by the respected company AUSPOLL which showed employees rejecting Telstras’ offer by more than two to one.” 

AUSPOLL also indicated that the member participation rate in the survey was nearly double what might be expected of  this process. 

The striking employees will have a major impact on telecommunications services in key Mining, Oil&Gas and Community Sector projects across WA particularly in the Pilbara, Gascoyne and Kimberley regions. Members met at the Kewdale depot 10am monday morning and voted unanimously to take the action. 

Mr Blackburne called on the Telstra CEO David Thodey to intervene to prevent what the union describes as blatant discrimination against a section of the Telstra workforce. “Telstra needs all its skilled and dedicated workforce on side given the delicate and challenging situation facing the company.” Mr Blackburne said. 

WA Branch Organiser John O’Donnell claimed “WA members will no longer accept being discriminated against purely for asking for a union negotiated agreement”  

Further Action Planned For Wed 17^th at Telstra Head Office 10am 

CEPU members in Telstra and affiliated Unions will gather outside Telstra’s head office on Wednesday in Stirling St Perth for a public rally.

The theme for the Rally is; 

  “The End To Discrimination of Union Members” 
 

BURT BLACKBURNE ASSISTANT SECRETARY

Mobile No 0408036147

JOHN O’DONNELL WA BRANCH ORGANISER

Mobile No 0417873654