ALONE YOU STRUGGLE

This week alone we dealt with 4 members facing disciplinary allegations, all threatening dismissal. And more next week. This involved NBN, Telstra and TZV. We provide support from very experienced staff.
Remind your fellow workers you're never alone when you are a union member. Help build our strength. We are seeing more pressure from the bosses to meet unrealistic targets and KPIs. BAI, NBN

SHIFT WORKERS AND DAY WORKERS

One of the least understood area of entitlements is that of shift workers. The definition of a shift worker is usually set out in the EBA. Mostly it is difficult for the average person to appreciate. A definition is important for two reasons:
First, only shift workers can be paid shift penalties
Secondly, some shiftworkers are entitled to an extra week of annual leave.
If you are not a shift worker, then you are simply a day worker. Any "out of hours" work or extra hours must be paid as overtime, although some EBAs allow a worker to choose to have the equivalent time off.
Note: It is unlawful to pay day workers a shift penalty. You cannot be declared a shiftworker for a day or so in order to avoid overtime. Please contact us if you have questions or complaints.

TZV SUPPORT SHIFT WORKERS

The TZV Support EBA states: "Shift Worker" means an Employee whose Ordinary Hours extend beyond 7:00pm on Monday to Friday and regularly includes work on Saturday and/or Sunday, Employees with variable rosters and Continuous Shift Workers.
The definition is complex when it should not be.
The TZV Ops EBA states: Shift Worker means an Employee whose Ordinary Hours of work extend beyond day shift on Monday to Friday and includes persons who work regularly on Saturday or Sunday, workers with variable rosters and Continuous Shift workers.
We are considering a draft new clause. Any comment appreciated.
DRAFT: Shift worker is an employee who works a planned regular roster of shifts which extend outside ordinary hours, and may include weekends.

BAI OUTSOURCING

BAI has written to CWU advising of the use of contractors to undertake certain PSN work, instead of employees. CWU has advised of our objections and is seeking discussions. The letter stated:

The CWU would like to express our deepest concern regarding your proposal to contract out the monitoring and preventative maintenance of the Public Safety Network (PSN) to local organisations.
As you are aware the PSN is a critical piece of national infrastructure that directly supports frontline emergency services it plays an essential role during major incidents and natural disasters and other emergency events where reliability and responsive, and continuity are paramount. Any changes to the management or maintenance of this network carry significant operational and public safety implications.
The CWU is particularly concerned that outsourcing these functions may introduce risks related to service quality, accountability, workforce stability, and the preservation of specialist technical expertise required to ensure uninterrupted PSN performance.
The CWU formally requested an urgent meeting and full consultation on this proposal, we seek clarity on the rationale behind the proposed change, the potential impacts on service reliability and workforce arrangements, and the measures being considered to safeguard the integrity of this essential emergency service network.

E000 RELOCATION SYDNEY

We were only advised this week that E00 Sydney was being relocated from Paddington to the CBD. While it is a move of less than 4km, the CDB is a major change from a suburb where some on-street parking is still possible. Telstra did not advise the union of the change. Telstra claims that it was not significant. We disagree.
Members should not assume that the union has been advised of the change. There are many issues that can arise from a move to a CBD. Please contact us if you have any problems.

NBN WEARABLES

We met with NBN this week to discuss "wearable devices" and voice our obvious concerns. NBN has claimed that the latest device is to observe physical work in the field. NBN says:
- It will help improve the health and safety of workers.
- Few managers will know who is being monitored.
- It is voluntary only.
- It will not report the GPS location.
- A worker can turn it on and off.
We have sought more information and are to meet again soon