Unions target call centre dinner

Date: 15 June 2001

The Australian Services Union will join with other unions tonight to protest outside of the Australian Teleservices Association (ATA) Gala Awards Dinner.

ASU acting Branch Secretary Mary-Anne O'Neill said unions were targeting the ATA dinner to increase awareness of the need for reasonable standards in the call centre industry.

"The ATA claim to act as a 'catalyst for growth and professionalism' for call centres, but are yet to sign up for reasonable standards in the industry," Ms O'Neill said.

"Call centre employers are paying around $140 a head to attend this dinner, but are often paying staff as little as $7 an hour," she said.

"We believe the ATA and its members should sign on to the campaign for reasonable standards in the industry so that we can create quality jobs for the future, not new economy sweatshops," she said.

"Call centres are one of the fastest growing industries in Queensland, but not enough has been done to ensure that the basic minimum employment standards of workers are protected," she said.

Ms O'Neill said the call centre industry is one of the fastest growing industries in Australia, with growth rates of 25% per annum. In 1999, one half of all new jobs in the private sector were in the call centre industry.

The Australian Teleservices Association represent employers in the call centre and telemarketing industry on issues such as codes of practice, standards, best practice and information provision.

>The protest will occur at the Brisbane Convention Centre main entrance from 6:15pm - 7:00pm (cnr Merivale Street and Glenelg Street, South Brisbane)

For further information

Contact:	Matthew Collins
Union:	ASU Services
Contact Mobile:	0404 058 108
Email:	info@qld.asu.asn.au
WWW:	http://www.qld.asu.asn.au

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