Why we need a better relationship with Telstra management: The Moe case study
28 July 2008, 8:52am
What should have been a regular workplace visit to Telstra Moe from CPSU descended into farce on Wednesday, with management going to extraordinary lengths to keep our local organiser from talking to Telstra staff.
Access denied
On Wednesday 23 July CPSU organiser Trev Ward visited Telstra Moe in
Victoria, after providing management with his right of entry notice 24 hours
earlier, as required by law. However when he attempted to gain access to the
building, management refused entry, claiming that the manager CPSU contacted via
email was no longer with Telstra Moe and as he had not notified the “correct”
manager access would not be granted. Despite complying with all relevant
sections of the Workplace Relations Act (including sections 760 and 763) entry
to the workplace was refused. Management had not notified CPSU of any change of
contact details. This matter has now been referred to your union’s legal section
to be pursued.
Café crackdown
After being denied entry, Trev sent an email message CPSU members letting
them know they could come and see him in the Jasper café. The café proprietor
was happy for Trev to have his lunch there and talk to employees who wished to
speak with him. However Telstra management then contacted the café proprietor
and sought to have Trev removed. With reluctance the proprietor then asked him
to leave, explaining they could not afford to upset management as Telstra
employees made up a large proportion of their business. Trev completed his visit
by standing outside the building and talking to those employees coming in and
out.
Update
On Friday 25 July CPSU organisers visited Telstra Moe to inform staff of the
week’s events. At approx 9.45am the café proprietor fielded a phone call from
national Telstra HR management, asking questions about what had happened on
Wednesday! During a discussion with the proprietor, CPSU organisers gave her a
copy of the bulletin and she confirmed that the CPSU organiser’s version of
events as contained in the bulletin was correct.
Why the tough tactics?
Following last week’s decision by Telstra management’s to walk away from EA
negotiations, employees have been subjected to a barrage of material outlining
the Telstra management position. This agreement is very important in determining
the future pay and conditions for staff - including those on Australian
Workplace Agreements (AWAs). CPSU believes you deserve access to a range of
opinions so you can make up your own mind.
Towards a better relationship
One of the key objectives of the EA campaign has been to establish a better
working relationship between management, unions and staff – so we can avoid the
type of situation CPSU encountered during this most recent visit.
