NBN SOD CASE

The matter proceeded with conciliation this week. A number of technical matters have been discussed but no agreement was reached. The matter is listed for a second conciliation on 25 June.

TELSTRA FIBRE OFFER

Telstra has made offers to the 34 staff who were already being paid as a CFW5 on "higher duties." These temporary offers will be superceded by the new offers. The new offers are for permanent promotion to CFW 5 level with an offer of an ex-gratia payment. Telstra told the union that the ex-gratia payments varied from $5,000 to $60,000. We were not told the basis for the variations. Staff were given 14 days to accept.

TELSTRA OPTICAL FIBRE CLAIMS

We now have almost 30 members alleging underpayment of salary and allowances for work they undertook in the Optical Fibre groups across Australia. We are about to lodge those claims with Telstra. Our Divisional Office has asked us to delay the claim for a week or so in case other Branches also have claims.
Since winning the first case, our T&S Branch has been seeking that a number of other members also be upgraded. Survey forms have been completed. The claim we are making has a number of elements:
- Payment at the CFW5 level for the past 6 years (or in some cases shorter)
- Payment of Superannuation contributions associated with the backpay for 6 years
- Backpay of Overtime calculated at the CFW5 rate for 6 years
- Interest at the Court rate for all backpay
- Penalties for breach of EBD provisions
We have previously reported on the successful case we took for a member where he was awarded $98,187 based on 5 years backpay. These claims are substantial and will take time. If no agreement can be reached with Telstra, then any Court proceedings are expected to take many more months. Members will need to be patient. Remember, we cannot guarantee any outcome.

TZV REDUNDANCY CLARIFIED

We sought clarification from the Victorian Government representative of the Targeted Redundancy Package (TRP) conditions. TZV and CWU had different view on 3 matters. Our web page explanation is unaltered. See CWU Redundancy Explanation.

The 3 clarifications are:
It is now agreed that the notice period is on top of the TRP Policy. To explain:
- if you have worked more than 10 years and are under 45 years of age TRP is 24w and notice is 4w Total 28w
- if you have worked more than 10 years and are over 45 years of age TRP is 25w and notice is 5w Total 30w
Notice is paid at full time rate as long as you were back to full time at termination.
We are still clarifying how calculation of part time benefits treated. Is it pro rata over the entire employment years or just the past 10 years?

POSTAL RATE INCREASE

Aus Post has advised as follows:

Following lodgement with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in Nov 2024, I can confirm Australia Post will apply the proposed price increase to reserved ordinary letters, which includes a 20-cent increase to the Basic Postage Rate (BPR), up from $1.50 to $1.70, and an increase in the price for ordinary large letters, delivered at the regular timetable. The effective date for the price change is 17 July 2025.
These changes are subject to finalising regulatory processes and follow the ACCC's preliminary view not to object to the increase. There is no change proposed to the price of concession stamps, at $3.00 for a booklet of five stamps, or to seasonal greetings card stamps, at $0.65 for a small letter.

FREE DAVID HUERTA

From Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union:

UNI Global Union strongly condemns the arrest of David Huerta, President of SEIU California and SEIU United Service Workers West (USWW), who was injured and detained while observing and documenting a violent ICE raid in Los Angeles. Huerta was acting within his First Amendment rights as a community observer, standing in solidarity with immigrant workers during a time of crisis. His arrest is not only an attempt to silence a labour leaderit is a disturbing signal that holding power accountable can itself be treated as a crime.
David Huerta began his organizing career with Justice for Janitors, the groundbreaking campaign that mobilized immigrant janitors across the United States to demand dignity, respect, and better working conditions. That movementborn in Los Angeles, and powered by courageous people transformed lives and redefined what was possible for low-wage immigrant workers. Like the janitors who laid down in the streets of Los Angeles in the 1990s demanding recognition and rights, Huerta stood peacefully this week with today's immigrant workersmany of whom face renewed threats of detention, deportation, and family separation.
UNI Global Union demands the immediate release of David Huerta and all others detained while exercising their first amendment rights.
We denounce the use of tear gas, pepper spray, and militarized police tactics against unarmed demonstrators and we call on U.S. authorities to respect the rights of all workersespecially those in immigrant communities who have long powered the American economy while being denied full protection and recognition.
Justice for Janitors taught us that when workers rise together, history bends toward justice. David Huerta continues that fight, and UNI Global Union stands firmly by his side.