TELSTRA OPTICAL FIBRE CLAIM - ZOOM MEETING TUESDAY

The Telstra response ignored the request by the Union for their criteria for upgrading staff to CFW5. We will hold a Zoom meeting for a general discussion on:
Tuesday 19 August at 5pm
LINK - see email notice

NBN START OF DAY CLAIM - ZOOM MEETING WEDNESDAY

The case is progressing slowly in the Court. We will hold a Zoom meeting to give those interested with an opportunity to discuss the Court case and claim.
Wednesday 20 August at 5pm
LINK - see email notice

VALE DOUG FARR

Former Victorian T&S Branch President and Life Member Doug Farr passed away 8 August at home in Warragul.
Doug had suffered a signification heart attack some years ago, whilst on a motorcycle rally in east Gippsland, but was fortunate at the time that a fellow biker was able to revive him and get him to hospital where a bypass was performed.
Doug worked as a high-level tech at the Research Labs of Telecom (TRL) in the Electro Magnetic Environment (EME) section and was involved as TRL Sub Branch Secretary. He was a trainee at the PMG workshops with other ATEA officials, Kevin Fothergill, Len Cooper and Peter Abrehart, prior to his union involvement. That group of unionists were elected into official positions in the early 70's and ran the ATEA Vic Branch for a long period of time.
Doug's funeral will be held on Monday, 18 August at 1.30pm at the Nielsen Funerals Chapel, 2 Korumburra-Warragul Rd, Warragul. Live streaming is available on their website.
Doug will be remembered as a quiet, but solid achiever on many fronts, including Union activity. His guidance, leadership and solidarity will be strongly cherished by those who knew him.

HELENSBURGH COAL V BARTLEY DECISION - REDEPLOYMENT

On 6 August 2025, the High Court [2025] HCA 29unanimously dismissed an appeal by the company (Helensburgh). 21 Employees worked at a mine operated by Helensburgh. As a result of an economic downturn, Helensburgh restructured its operations at the mine, thereby requiring fewer workers, and consequently dismissed the employees. Helensburgh continued to deploy contractors to perform work at the mine.
The Employees applied to the Fair Work Commission for remedies for unfair dismissal. Helensburgh objected to the applications on the basis that the terminations were cases of "genuine redundancy" under s 389 of the Fair Work Act.
Through a series of four decisions, the FWC ultimately held that the terminations were not cases of "genuine redundancy" because, applying s 389(2), it would have been reasonable in all the circumstances for the Employees to be redeployed to perform the work that was being performed by the contractors.
Helensburgh's principal contention on its appeal to the High Court was that, in undertaking the inquiry under s 389(2) of the Fair Work Act as to whether it would have been reasonable in all the circumstances for a person to be redeployed within the employer's enterprise, the FWC was not permitted to inquire into whether an employer could have made changes to its enterprise so as to create or make available a position for an employee who would otherwise have been redundant.
The High Court held that the FWC could inquire into whether it would have been reasonable for the Employees to be redeployed in Helensburgh's enterprise to perform work that was being performed by the contractors.
The Court held that, on the correct construction of s 389(2), the FWC was permitted to inquire into whether an employer could have made changes to how it uses its workforce to operate its enterprise so as to create or make available a position for an employee who would otherwise have been redundant.

TELSTRA PARTNERSHIP WITH VERSENT

Telstra has announced an initial decision to enter into a strategic partnership with Infosys regarding the ownership of Versent Group. Versent Group includes Versent Pty Ltd and Telstra Purple Pty Ltd (Telstra Purple Digital, Epicon and the Cloud access business for Telstra Enterprise (Amazon Web Services & Microsoft).
It is proposed that Infosys, a global leader in digital services and consulting will take a 75% stake in Versent Group. Telstra remains a committed partner and will continue to be a minority 25% stakeholder in Versent Group.
Subject to consultation:
370 Versent Pty Ltd employees and 257 Telstra Purple Pty Ltd employees would remain with their current employer.
24 Telstra Limited employees who perform work for the Versent Group would be made an offer to move to Telstra Purple Pty Ltd within the Versent Group.
31 Telstra Purple Pty Ltd employees who perform work for Telstra Limited would be made a suitable offer in accordance with the Telstra Limited Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 (EA) and/or Telstra Limited policy to move to Telstra Limited.
If any member has any concerns, please contact us at CWU T&S Branch.