Court action over Telstra job losses

Date: 06 April 2000

Telstra unions have lodged an application in the Federal Court in Melbourne today seeking an urgent injunction preventing Telstra from sacking 16,000 employees as announced in the half-year report.

"We believe the proposed sackings should be stopped because they are tainted with discrimination, political bias and prejudice," said Wendy Caird, CPSU National Secretary.

The unions' application is based on an internal instruction from senior Telstra managers indicating that staff on union awards should be sacked before those on individual contracts, the Company's preferred employment arrangement.

Ms Caird went on to say "Telstra is enthusiastically implementing the Howard Government's agenda of driving workers off union awards and agreements. But in their zeal they have overstepped the mark. The Workplace Relations Act still makes it illegal to sack someone because they choose to work under a union award or agreement."

"We are asking the Federal Court to urgently put a stop to this discriminatory behaviour. There are 16,000 jobs at stake here, with the first thousand are expected go in a matter of weeks."

The Telstra unions are fighting for jobs and for a high quality telecommunications service for all Australians.

"The community has had enough of unrestrained corporate greed. If these job cuts are not stopped they will destroy the livelihood of working families and result in worse services for all," added Ms Caird

The unions have retained Julian Burnside, QC, and Josh Bornstein for the legal challenge. Both are highly experienced in industrial law litigation and are highly regarded in the Labour movement for their successful work in the MUA and BHP disputes.

For Comment:
Stephen Jones 0417 261 152
Adrian O'Connell 0418 977 170

(8 March) Extract of TELSTRA Group Managing Director, Mr Cartwright's e-mail to all Employee Relations Managers and Team Leaders in Telstra

"Staff members who have transferred to individual contracts have placed their trust in their managers and the Company to create a work environment that reinforces respect and dignity for the individual, and which places primary emphasis on productive relationships in which individual accountability encourages each person to contribute to his/her full potential. Managers must not under any circumstances compromise these important values in the way they implement cost reduction initiatives which lead to staff reductions. Managers will be held accountable to support the values of the Company's preferred model of individual employment"

For further information

Contact:	Stephen Jones
Union:	CPSU - National Office
Phone:	0417 261 152
Email:	dermot_browne@cpsu.org
WWW:	www.cpsu.org

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