Communication Workers Union

The CEPU recognises Telstra's right in law, to proceed to a ballot of all eligible Telstra employees in regard to a draft EBA. The CEPU also recognises that the draft contains many clauses which arise from the negotiations between the parties. However as Telstra is well aware, the CEPU and Telstra remain divided over the pay offer in the draft document. The CEPU believes that it is unacceptable that employees on a union-negotiated agreement will be paid less than employees on a non union collective agreement who are of the same banding doing the same or similar work for the company. This will be the case if the agreement is adopted, and it is a position that could last indefinitely.

However, CEPU accepts that the views of eligible Telstra employees, including CEPU members, in relation to the draft EBA should be tested, after such a long dispute. We understand that:

• employees on the EBA have suffered and are suffering because of their wage levels vis-a-vis the cost of living over a number of years,
• that in some states a majority of CEPU members voted to accept the agreement,
• we are moving into a difficult environment as a result of the NBN rollout and other factors,

and because of the above, the CEPU will not oppose Telstra proceeding to a formal ballot of all eligible employees.

The CEPU has also given an undertaking, following Telstra’s request, to suspend all current industrial action whilst we negotiate that finalisation of the draft EBA and whilst the ballot on the EBA is conducted. This includes suspension of all bans on overtime (paid and unpaid, including start of day and end of day action), and all stoppage action. The industrial action is suspended from midnight tonight (3/8/10).

The CEPU cannot, as a matter of principle, go so far as to endorse the draft EBA for the reasons given above. However the CEPU, because of the circumstances, has given a commitment not to conduct a "vote no" campaign against the draft EBA. Obviously the CEPU will honour that commitment. We will limit our response to providing factual information to members relating to the draft.

It is the CEPU's intention, regardless of the ballot result, to continue to end this pay differential and injustice sooner rather than later.