Telstra workers strike action vote

Date: 21 November 2008

Telstra workers are about to start voting on whether to take urgent industrial action over the company's ongoing refusal to negotiate a collective agreement with its employees, the Communications Electrical Plumbing Union (CEPU) has announced.

The vote of nearly 7000 Telstra workers begins on Friday, 21 November.

It comes as new research reveals that most Australians believe the massive $13.4 million paid to company Chief Executive Sol Trujillo is excessive - compared to average $60,000 yearly wage for a Telstra field worker.

CEPU National President Ed Husic urged Telstra shareholders to voice their anger at Mr Trujillo's "excessive" $13.4 million yearly wage, at the Telstra Annual General Meeting in Melbourne today (Friday, November 21).

The Auspoll survey of 1000 people shows:

• Nine in 10 Australians consider Sol Trujillo's salary either "far too high" (76 per cent or "too high" (14 per cent).

• Over eight in 10 Australians believe it is "unfair" that despite profits of 13.5% Telstra is intending to cut its wage bill by 15% and offer pay increases that are below current inflation rates.

"The common-sense of the Australian public can see that it's unfair that Mr Trujillo makes a massive $13.4 million a year, but then short-changes his workers by refusing to negotiate a wage agreement that is even equal to the costs of living," he said.

"Times are tough, really tough.

"These workers have families, mortgages and have to cope with the rising cost of living, yet Mr Trujillo and Telstra management won't even sit down and collective bargain with the union to secure a decent agreement for Telstra's employees.

"So far, the only offer Telstra has put forward is a non-union deal that is below inflation, which was voted down by Telstra workers," Mr Husic said.

CEPU Communications Divisional President Len Cooper added: "We've repeatedly tried to negotiate with Telstra in good faith, but the company has rejected our requests to get back to the bargaining table."

Mr Cooper warned that the proposed industrial campaign was "likely to be prolonged".

"We want to send a strong message to Telstra, while minimising the effect on the Australian public," he said.

"Rest assured, our members will be available to assist with all emergency calls and life and limb issues during any anticipated industrial action."

Mr Cooper said the ballot of Telstra workers will ask members to authorise the following industrial action:

• An unlimited number of four hour (4), twenty-four (24) and forty-eight (48) hour rolling stoppages of work;

• An unlimited number of indefinite or periodic bans on overtime (paid and unpaid), recalls/call backs, performing higher duties and not attending management meetings; and/or

• An unlimited number of indefinite stoppages of work.

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