NOTE FOR VICTORIAN MEMBERS

This week we are changing the format of Bulletins. We are using a different mailing list prompting the change. There is no change for NSW members.

TELSTRA OPTICAL FIBRE CLAIM

This group claim kicked off this week with a letter to Telstra seeking upgrades for (as yet unnamed) optical fibre workers. The claims are based on our successful case against Telstra for one member. This follows Telstra's offer of upgrades and backpay to a number fibre workers. Many accepted the offer and some declined. We are seeking Telstra's criteria that was used to make these offers. We will report and significant progress.

AUST POST DISCIPLINARY ACTION WITHDRAWN

Earlier this month we represented 2 separate cases of members in Australia Post having been issued a warning counselling. The dispute was taken to the Fair Work Commission. These FWC listing were lodged on the basis that the CWU believed the action taken by Australia Post management was in breach of the General Protection provisions of the Fair Work Act. The matters were resolved. Aust Post agreed to withdraw the warning counsellings and remove them from the member's personal file.

CEPU STRUCTURE EXPLAINED

CEPU arose out of a move by the ACTU in the 1990s to create about 20 major unions at a time when there were well over 100 unions. Unfortunately, over the years there has been more division in CEPU than union across CEPU. CEPU is not alone as other major unions have also faced internal tensions.
The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) is comprised of 3 Divisions:
- Communications Division
- Electrical Division
- Plumbing Division

CEPU COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION EXPLAINED

Following amalgamations, the Communications Division has only 3 Branches:
- The Central Branch - overwhelmingly postal - in NSW, Qld, SA and WA
- The Victorian Postal and Telecom Branch
- The Telecom and Services (T&S) Branch - NSW Vic
Our Branch, the Telecommunications and Services Branch (T&S) Branch, specialises in Telecom generally, and Technical members. It was initially formed from the Australian Telecommunications Employees Association (ATEA), which was created well over 110 years ago.
Our Branch members are from a wide variety of employers including Telstra, Optus, NBN, Triple Zero Victoria, Australia Post, Nokia, and a number of private telecom companies.