OPTICAL FIBRE CLAIM - TELSTRA RESPONSE

We refer to your correspondence dated 5 May 2026 regarding the classification of Optical Fibre work. I am responding on Darren Fewster's behalf, as he is currently travelling overseas on annual leave.
We are unclear as to the basis of the CWU's request. While the correspondence refers to assessing employees performing Optical Fibre work against the Core Job Descriptions (CJDs) - specifically at CFW5 - the individuals listed in Annexure A appear to comprise of a broad and mixed cohort, including:
• employees who are undertaking little (or no) fibre-related work;
• Job Family employees, where classification is not determined by the CJDs;
• employees already classified at the CFW5 level; and
• individuals who have already separated from Telstra.
  The classification of employees is an individual requirement. It is not apparent from your correspondence how the CWU contends each named employee (or former employee) may not be correctly classified given the points referenced above in our response.
  The assessment referred to in our correspondence dated 5 September 2025 related to the proposed updated CFW5 Communications Technician CJD, and we have previously provided relevant information in relation to those assessments. We are unclear as to its relevance in this context because, as previously stated, Workstream roles at Telstra are classified by reference to the current CJDs which are incorporated into Telstra's Enterprise Agreements. So, as a matter of law, it is these CJDs that are the basis for classifying Workstream roles at Telstra.
  It is our position that relevant employees are correctly classified against the current CJDs.
  However, if an individual employee has concerns regarding their classification, those concerns should be raised in the first instance with their leader. If the matter remains unresolved, the employee may elect to progress the issue in accordance with the dispute resolution process available under the applicable Telstra Enterprise Agreement.
  The ongoing issues relating to CJDs are important matters that Telstra remains willing to discuss and progress. This is otherwise likely to be a significant issue for Telstra in 2027 EA negotiations, as our intention is to ensure we provide certainty for our people and business.

OUTSOURCING TO INFOSYS

Telstra has advised as following. Any member with difficulties should contact us for assistance.

Following the final decision announced on 18 March 2026 to proceed with the five-year strategic partnership with Infosys, we are writing to provide an update.
The employment offer process across Australia and India has concluded, and those who have accepted an offer with Infosys are expected to transition on 20 July 2026.
Further, this week we began notifying employees that chose not to apply for a role at Infosys, or were unsuccessful in securing one, that they are redundant. Further detail is provided in the attached letter, but in summary:
• Telstra has notified 328 employees in Service & Delivery, Telstra Enterprise, that their roles are redundant.
• Due to ongoing knowledge transfer, some roles have not been notified of redundancy at this stage.
• As this is a site function closure, impacted employees will have a six-week Placement Period.
  We expect most employees will exit in mid to late July 2026 if they are unsuccessful in finding another role within Telstra. As some roles are yet to be notified, exit dates will continue beyond this period.

OPTUS MAY BE PARTLY SOLD

The following contains extracts from The Australian on 22nd May 2026 from Jared Lynch, Technology Editor

Optus owner Singtel confirms it will sell minority stake in troubled telco
Optus CEO Stephen Rue says the company is making 'clear and solid progress' as its Singaporean owners announce plans to sell part of the telco. Singtel says it wants to sell part of Optus just days after the communications regulator hiked spectrum prices, triggering a multibillion-dollar Treasury windfall and industry-wide fury.
Singtel told the Singapore stock exchange that it was actively seeking a minority partner to buy into Optus, ending its 25-year stranglehold on sole ownership of Australia's second biggest telecommunications carrier.
The willingness to sell a "minority stake", comes as Optus is fighting to recover from a string of reputational crises in the past three years, including a cyber attack, national outage, deaths linked to triple-0 failures, and selling mobile plans to people it knew couldn't afford them.
"The group is open to working with potential Australian partners that align with its objectives of ensuring that Optus continues to be a strong alternative operator in the industry, providing a reliable and trusted critical service to all Australians," Singtel said. "Singtel contemplates a like-minded long-term local partner owning a meaningful minority stake in Optus.
"Optus has been an integral and strategic part of the Singtel Group for over 25 years, and the group is committed to Australia for the long term. The Group's focus there continues to be on working closely with the Optus Board and management to strengthen Optus' operational capabilities and resilience and enhance its role as a critical services provider."
The Australian Communications and Media Authority this week confirmed it would charge carriers $7.3bn to renew their existing licenses for mobile spectrum the frequencies used by carriers to carry calls and data. Optus said the new valuation was a "very challenging outcome" for the industry at large.
Singtel bought Optus in 2001 for $17.5bn a fraction of the total cash it has injected into its Australian network and Optus's net assets, which total about $10bn, including debt.