NBN HOOK-UP RE EBA OVERTIME

All NBN workers are invited to a T&S Branch Zoom Hook-up to discuss the current position on the upcoming EBA and current overtime (non) payments. (See item below)
4.30pm Thursday 22 August 2024
LINK (See email)

NBN HOOK-UP RE EBA & OVERTIME

First - the nominal expiry date of the NBN EBA is 24 April 2025 about 7 months away. We will soon begin the process of negotiating the new EBA. This is likely to be a difficult process given the recent issues concerning contracts.
Secondly - overtime and other allowances. We are seeking payment for all time worked, including start of day, end of day and call-outs.

TELSTRA CLASSIFICATIONS - REVIEW

As previously reported, Telstra recently commenced a joint review of the Core Job Descriptions, starting with the Workstream Customer Field Workforce (CFW) classifications.
This review was agreed to following the Union's representations around concerns that members were not being classified correctly, and that their pay did not accurately reflect the work they are engaged in. Due to technological changes and a significant reduction in the field workforce over the years, members have increasingly taken on tasks that would typically be associated with a higher classification.
Several meetings were held to discuss the CFW 4 and CFW 5 job descriptions in detail. However, proposals from Telstra regarding changes to wording and function grading led to repeated disputes and hindered progress. WE also await the T&S Case Outcome. (see below)
Talks are expected to restart shortly.

TELSTRA CLASSIFICATION - T&S BRANCH ACTION

Our Branch was fed up with the way Telstra refused multiple claims to upgade CFW4 staff. Our Branch challenged the classification of a CFW4 member, arguing in Court that the work of the optical fibre teams is at the CFW5 level at a minimum. The case was argued over 5 months ago and involved the 1998 agreed job descriptions. It was complex because of the technological change and organisational change. We are awaiting the decision.

POST - ELECTRICAL LICENCES

This issue keeps coming up as Postal Technical Officers are required to work across traditional disciplines. Some work requires (by law) the possession of an electrician's licence. To complicate matters there exists in in various formats across the states a "Connect/Disconnect" restricted licence which allows very limited electrical connection work.
In NSW the restricted licence is only available if 2 important conditions are satisfied (a) the training course AND (b) they are qualified in the appropriate discipline. An example given by the regulatory body is a qualified refrigeration mechanic who can get a restricted licence to work ONLY on refrigeration associated connect and disconnect.
This is creating problems as there are some shifts at SPF where there is no electrician at work , and at times no staff with either an electrician's licence or a restricted licence.
While this situation remains, there will be times when production must stop (by law) until an electrician arrives.Telstra classifications TZV Uniforms.

TZV UNIFORM POLICY

TZV has proposed a change to the Control Room Protocols requiring unions to be worn on weekends. We have written to TZV as follows. We will advise progress.
We are concerned with the proposal for 3 reasons.
1. The existing practice has been in place for 30 years
2. We believe that the vast majority of staff do not want to wear uniforms over weekends.
3. There has been no increase to the allocation to cover the proposed extension to the wearing of uniforms.
The issue was opposed in the UCC meeting by delegates. We seek that the proposal be reviewed and consulted. We raise the matter in accordance with the dispute resolution policy.

ACTU - WORKING PEOPLE WOULD BE $4700 WORSE OFF IF DUTTON WAS PM

The average worker would be $4,700 worse off if annual wage growth had continued at the same low rate as under the last Coalition government, according to the ACTU.
With the Wage Price Index showing that wage growth averaged 4.1% for the year to June 2024, average wage growth under the Albanese Government is now at 3.8%.
This is in stark contrast to the average annual wage growth of just 2.1% under nearly a decade of Coalition Governments from 2014 to 2022.
Today's steady increase matched the 4.1 per cent achieved in the year to March 2024. Wages also increased in real terms, growing by 0.2% for the year to June 24. Wages for workers on EBAs rose 4.3% over the year to June 24, the fourth quarter in a row of wage growth of at least 4%.
Wage growth will continue to be positive with the 3.75% pay rise for award-reliant workers only coming into effect on 1 July and therefore not yet picked up in these figures.