TELSTRA EBA - UNION PROPOSAL

Besides our long list of claims, we sought pay increases of 6% each year for 3 years.

This covered our claim for catchup with the cost of living, after previous years of miserable pay rises.

Telstra seemed fixated on the rise in their electricity bill (Stop laughing- it's true). We didn't bother telling them that we also have electricity bills.

TELSTRA EBA OFFER

Telstra has advised of its offers following the series of negotiations: The important points are:

• 4.0% wage increase in 2024
• 3.5% wage increase in 2025
• 3.0% wage increase in 2026
• Telstra has agreed superannuation will be increased at Telstra's cost
• For Job Family employees, the increases will go into a wage pool
• Allowances to increase by the same quantum except for the following:
  • Essential Customer Servicing to increase by 25% in 2024 (then as above)
  • Retail relocation allowance will increase to $30, from $21.92

Even some cost neutral claims were rejected. For example Job Family members meeting expectations be guaranteed the increases, not just 1%.

IS THE PAY OFFER AND ACCEPTABLE?

Is the Telstra offer a fair offer? (from a very profitable company?). Here some comparisons:

Quarter        CPI     CP      Telstra	Postal	National
              Quart  Annual	Inc 	Inc	Wage Case
Oct-Dec 21    1.3%    3.5%
Jan-Mar 22    2.1%    5.1%
Apr-Jun 22    1.8%    6.1%
Jul-Sep 22    1.8%    7.3%	2.5%	6.1%	5.5%
Oct-Dec 22    1.9%    7.8%
Jan-Mar 23    1.4%    7.0%
Apr-Jun 23    0.8%    6.0%
Jul-Sep 23    1.2%    5.4%	3.0%	6.0%	8.6%
Oct-Dec 23    0.6%    4.1%
Jan-Mar 24    1.0%    3.6%
Apr-Jun 24     tba     tba
Jul-Sep 24     tba     tba  	4.0%*	tba	3.75%

* Proposed by Telstra
Telstra pay rises to 2011 were generally 4%. Then until 2015 increases were 3.75% (bonus provisions also applied.)

TELSTRA SURVEY

There is a possibility that Telstra will "cut and run" from the EBA talks after next week. They will publish the draft EBA and ask you to vote a week later.

This week we will send an email asking your opinion about the Telstra EBA and pay offer.

We will create a statistical report from the returns and delete the email responses. Comments will be welcome.

NATIONAL WAGE CASE

The Fair Work Commission handed down a decision that will lift both minimum wages and awards by 3.75 per cent. The decision boosts the minimum adult hourly wage by about $33 a week to $915.91. It kicks in on July 1.

"A primary consideration has been the cost-of-living pressures that modern award-reliant employees - particularly those who are low-paid and live in low-income households - continue to experience," FWC president Adam Hatcher said.

The decision fell short of the 5% cent sought by unions, but was above the 2% that employers had wanted. Here the history:

$Inc    %Inc	Weekly	  Hourly	  Date
$19.84	1.75% 	$753.92   $19.84	  1 Jul 2020*
$18.80	2.50% 	$772.60   $20.33	  1 Jul 2021*
$40.00	5.50% 	$812.60   $21.38	  1 Jul 2022*
$66.50	8.60% 	$882.80   $23.23	  1 Jul 2023*
$33.11	3.75% 	$915.91   $24.10	  1 Jul 2024

*Award rates subject to conditions

TZV REPORT ON PROGRESS

Sue Riley provides the following report: I write this bulletin to address some issues that have arisen over the last few weeks and provide some clarity. See the current TZV position web page for details.

TELSTRA REDUNDANCY - JOB SWAPS

Any member seeking a swap could register with us to establish a connection with someone who may wish to go, or stay. Contact us and we will provide a connection:

CFW7	GBS 			Sydney			seeking a redundancy.
CFW7				Sydney	12h shift	seeking a redundancy.
CFW5	Field Help Desk WFH	NSW Country		seeking a redundancy.
3ii	Constructor Operative	NSW Southern		seeking a redundancy.
CFW9 3i	GBS Field  		Yarra Valley		seeking a redundancy