NBN - Everything you need to know about the National Broadband Network

Video: Telstra union talks strike, NBN

By Suzanne Tindal, ZDNet.com.au

17 December 2008 05:19 PM

Tags: husic, unions, cepu, strike, telstra, nbn, national broadband network, worker

video Telstra's exit from the National Broadband Network process will help focus industry attention on the industrial action being held by its workers, the company's main union states in this video interview.

In order to watch video content you need to enable javascript and install Flash player version 8 or above.

Embed on your site:

In a video interview with ZDNet.com.au, Ed Husic, national president of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU), said that Telstra's ejection from the NBN process had drawn peoples' attentions to what he said was Telstra's habit of riding roughshod over workers, regulators and government alike.

"People will contrast the way that Telstra has behaved with employees and the unions... and they'll be able to say what they're doing to the unions and employees is exactly what they've done to the government," he said.

What he said was Telstra's failure to force the government to do what it wanted would bring the industry to take a closer look at whether Telstra's heavy handed management of human relations issues were the best way to go forward, he claimed. "What they've done to the government ... has amounted to a big cost to Telstra and what cost will be paid as a result of them not working out their problems with the unions?"

Workers started to strike last weekend after negotiations with the company over an employment agreement broke down. Saturday saw a ban on overtime, with bad weather in Victoria seeing a jump in the number of recorded faults, according to the union.

Yesterday, workers started stoppages, walking out of work to attend union briefings and barbecues. The intensity of the action would only escalate, according to Husic, who said that the start had been "soft" to give the company time to rethink its stance.

Last night the CEPU said it gave notice to Telstra of further industrial action — a 48-hour stoppage from lunch time tomorrow affecting network construction within NSW and Victoria, Service Delivery within Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia and all CEPU members walking off the job in Tasmania.

There will also be a 24-hour stoppage from lunchtime on Friday 19 December affecting network construction in all states and Telstra services delivery within the ACT.

Talkback (39)
Print
E-mail
Share
- del.icio.us
- Digg
- Reddit
- Slashdot
- StumbleUpon

Talkback 39 comments

Add your opinion

wonder how long this'll go for? joe -- 17/12/08

I wonder how long this saga will go on for? cause I honestly dont see telstra backing down, ever, and they cant fire the union members for striking, I honestly believe telstra would rather just have the 5000 union members stay on strike than back down

wonder how long this'll go for Anonymous -- 17/12/08 (in reply to #320119345)

The simple answer is until Telstra goes back to the table, or July 1 when the new IR laws come in. Telstra employees are very angry with how they have been treated for the past 8 years and in particular the last 3 years under Sol. It all came to a head when it was revealed that Telstra never had any intention of negotiating with the unions, refer to AIRC commission. The fact is Telstra doesn't want the unions involved in the business, they want to dictate to everyone just like they have done to the government and customers

Balance Sydney Lawrence -- 17/12/08

Has ZDNet approached Telstra for a reply video to allow Telstra to put their side of the story?

Balance Renai LeMay -- 18/12/08 (in reply to #320119354)

hey Sydney,

we do call Telstra (or anyone else) for right of reply when people make claims against them - we'd be happy to do a video with them talking about the union etc as well. We have done a number of videos with Telstra in the past, although not specifically on the union issue.

Will ask them tomorrow.

Cheers,

Renai LeMay
News Editor
ZDNet.com.au

Open debate. Sydney Lawrence -- 18/12/08 (in reply to #320119380)

Thats great Renai, thanks. Hope Telstra reply in the affirmative. Can't think any reason not to.

Personal Telstra Boycott Anonymous -- 18/12/08

It isn't just the government and employees that Telstra management are trying to manipulate for their own (and subsequently and incidentally) shareholders benefit... its the whole country and customers too.
Personally I'm doing my level best to reduce my customer spend with Telstra - they used to get $100-150 out of me each month. I have that under $30 now and it will stay there.

No big deal. Sydney Lawrence -- 18/12/08 (in reply to #320119396)

Anon that sounds like a logical business plan to me but what I find strange is why would you bother to comment on it.

Naturally you will use whatever supplier delivers the most satisfactory result. Most users choose Telstra but you don't, that's fine and it's called competition.

Personal Telstra Boycott Anonymous -- 18/12/08 (in reply to #320119398)

Actually, for mobile services I chose Three Mobile, despite poorer coverage. I can live with it.
As for why I bother to comment on it, my largely insignificant gesture of choosing to shun Telstra services carries just a little extra emphasis if the gesture is public.

Who cares? Slim Sergio -- 18/12/08 (in reply to #320119402)

Small bikkies and of no interest. Except obviously to yourself.

Personal Telstra Boycott Sydney Mike -- 18/12/08 (in reply to #320119402)

And of course, add yourself to the growing ranks of Telstra bashers. You guys really intrigue me, by expecting a helluva lot more for a low dollar input. Suggest you talk to some of the bleating Optus sub contractors, that lined the roads of Sydney yesterday, banging on about how poorly Optus treat them. But it's hard to dig up diamonds with a wooden beach shovel.

Personal Telstra Boycott Sydney Mike -- 19/12/08 (in reply to #320119402)

Well I hope you realize that by using 3 mobile, you are still indirectly supporting Telstra.

No big deal Terry Antonio -- 18/12/08 (in reply to #320119398)

I don't think you appreciate what anon is getting at.

I am so disgusted with Telstra that I go out of my way not to deal with them and I am assuming anon is the same.

I even try not to deal with companies that deal with them as a sub-carrier (like 3 for instance)

This is not a choice based on economics. its based on principle.

However I must concede if you were basing your choice on economics you would NEVER choose Telstra anyway.

Telstra has let Australia down Terry Antonio -- 18/12/08

Telstra was endowed with a trust by all Australians to give this Country the best communications system in the world.

We gave them monopoly powers to do this.

Instead we have a third world network controlled by a maniacal company who's greedy quest is to milk every customer for as much cash as they can get, smash all opposition and mislead (substitute, outright lie) to their partners.

They have consistently let down their staff, shareholders. wholesalers and customers but most of all they have let down Australia.

From charging for free back channel data to charging 1000's of dollars for $29.95 internet plans Telstra has used every trick in the book to deceive their customers

Telstra's unreasonable line rentals high connection costs and "hidden charges" that keep the cost of internet so outrageously high in this country making our (un) communications system a joke compared to the rest of the world.

Sol, you should give back your $13.5 million blood money for being yet another outstanding failure for this country.

Then the board should elect a CEO who has the good of this country at heart.

Fess up Terry. Sydney Lawrence -- 19/12/08

Terry you have my sympathies. Obviously you are bordering on obsession. If you did not get satisfactory service from Telstra, fine, go elsewhere.

Only a person with paranoia, or a personal financial self interest, would continue such a vendetta. Forget Telstra and move on Mate, unless of course your desire to damage Telstra is for other reasons.

re Telstra has let Australia down. Anonymous -- 19/12/08 (in reply to #320119525)

Terry, I suggest you take heed from Sydney Lawrence, and conduct your vendetta elsewhere. I am a Telstra shareholder, who has a lot more faith in Sol and his board, than ratbags like you. You have the choice to take your business where ever you like, and I hope you do. Well away from Australia preferably.

Sad Australians. Sydney Lawrence -- 19/12/08 (in reply to #320119558)

It is my sincere hope that Senator Conroy will be awake to the fact that those who constantly bag Telstra have devious financial interest that will be enhanced by any damage they can inflict on Telstra.

I have experienced treacherous traitors in wartime but this is the first time I have experienced them acting against their own country in times of peace.

Sad Australians. Sydney Mike -- 20/12/08 (in reply to #320119596)

Hear hear Sydney. But most of these brain dead morons, haven'y got half a clue what is really going on. So there is not much point in trying to work out why they have such a hatred towards Telstra.

sydney joe -- 20/12/08 (in reply to #320119596)

I work for the fools, they pay me an hrly sum of money and i still think what there doing is disgusting and wrong, "devious financial interests" my arse sydney... The optus strike has been resolved, optus acknowledged them and their issues, and basically "give us some time, we'll see what we can sort out for you guys"... telstra,, has telstra even approached their striking workers and asked why their striking... this is a perfect bloody example of middle and upper managements attitude towards the call centre/tech grunts... "sol sol! the workers are starting to go on strike" "hmm the peasants are striking you say?, well this issue is certainly below me! i care not for anything except profits, screw them!"

And hey sydney!! guess what, guess what! look at telstra's share holder portfolio... theres someone on there who's... *Gasp* chinese!, and omg! a singaporean 2! the invasions happening!! to the bunkers people to the bunkers!!! ahhhhhhh! (btw sydney, race bashing or the belief that 1's race is superior is really an attitude that our society as a whole doesnt embrace.., perhaps you should see someone about that??)

Ockers, Yobbos and Morons. Sydney Lawrence -- 20/12/08 (in reply to #320119658)

Joe after the absolute shocking and unforgivable racist slurs that self seeking individuals have made in the past regarding Sol don't lecture me about racism.

I have seen Sol called a Mexican by imbicilic retards who would not know the North Pole from the steamy jungles of the Amazon. Lift your game and become a decent Australian.

so you see thats its bad then? joe -- 20/12/08 (in reply to #320119666)

"unforgivable racial slurs" ... then you realize racism is wrong?? yet "foreign masters" "wouldnt trust singapore" "links with the chinese"... isnt that just as wrong as saying bloody mexican? your argument of tesltra over optus is that there australian compared to singaporean, therefore, better? seriously sydney, you call optus decietful and what not based on their country of incorporation but act worse than stans mum (sth park quote, What what what!) when some1 calls sol a mexican?!

Lies are a bridge to far. Sydney Lawrence -- 21/12/08 (in reply to #320119668)

Joe to say Sol is a Mexican is a LIE. Sol is not a Mexican he was born and bred in the U.S.A.

what ever, joe -- 22/12/08 (in reply to #320119702)

my point remains the same, just change "as wrong as saying bloody mexican" with "bloody american"... are you that fastidious with nit picking that you missed the point of my post... i dont give a crap if he's a japanese eskimo, I'm just pointing out that you jump up and down yelling racism racism, yet your posts are also just as guilty of racial profiling and vilification... i dont know why i wasted my breathe if the only thing you could pick out of that post is, uhhh sols not mexican, no shi* sydney, but thats what people call him so thats what i qouted as something you jump up and down about, seriously, you cant say a **** bird about people calling attacking sol for not been australian as long as you attack optus for not been australian, sol and optus are as non australian as each other!!

what ever, Sydney Mike -- 23/12/08 (in reply to #320119764)

I am appalled to think that Telstra would even hire an absolute jerk like you, Joe.

what for pointing out the obvious? joe -- 23/12/08 (in reply to #320119808)

Sydney jumps up and downing yelling racism racism when someone says bloody mexican, and he's not going how dare you be factually incorrect, no he's outraged that someone would bring race, place of brith, country of origin, what have you, into an argument against telstra... and then he jumps topic and oooo optus! forigein devils, bad, there from another country!

Personally, no issue with syd lawerence's posts, there generally decent, thought out posts, better than the "you moron" (sydney mike) posts, but if he's going to play high and mighty I'm more than happy to point out any hypocrisy that he may or may not be taking part in

Sydney Lawerence, I agree, calling sol dirty mexican and so on is not on, country of origin should have nothing to do with it... But on that same note, you going optus bad because there a different country is just as bad as someone yelling go home mexican,

Ockers, Yobbos and Morons. Anonymous -- 22/12/08 (in reply to #320119666)

Sydney, I think your wasting your time with Joe, he sounds like he wouldn't know where the North Pole or Amazon is. (But either one would probably be a good place for him to live in.) He sounds like an absolute moron to me

sydney Anonymous -- 22/12/08 (in reply to #320119658)

I think you need to get a life Joe. Fancy them paying a ratbag like you, when you think they are so disgusting. Why don't you get a job somewhere else if you hate them so much. I would certainly hate to have someone with your attitude, working for my company, you moron.

Telstra pays a lot of ratbags Mel Sommersberg -- 03/01/09 (in reply to #320119760)

1. Sol Trujillo
2. Dr Phil (until recently when he took his bat and ball and ran home)
3. Greg Winn

Joe isn't a ratbag though. He has the courage to speak freely. Sadly, his big tough employer would sack him if they found out his identity but that is the nature of THE BEAST isn't it...

We should be thanking Joe for his input, not taking the p1ss. By the way Anonymous, getting a job in the current climate is not necessarily an easy thing to do. Thank your mate KRudd for that.

By the way, is Sydney Mike an evil twin of Sydney Lawrence?

2 Sydney's Anonymous -- 03/01/09 (in reply to #320120256)

Yes, the 2 Sydney's do appear to be one and the same. If so, seems Sydney has been learning from the master of deception, aye Mel.

Don't flatter yourself Anonymous Mel -- 03/01/09 (in reply to #320120257)

I didn't suggest they were the same and the only master of deception seems to be you. You are the one running around lying about people. :-)

So don't go sucking up to me, you've done your dash long ago squire. :-p

Suckin up, roflmfao Anonymous -- 03/01/09 (in reply to #320120259)

I feel another bite, the rod is bending, rofl.

Talking about lies. Obviously you could only go 3 days without lying again and going back on your word Mel.

In reply to his own comment, in reference to me. Mel Sommersberg 31/12 - 'I'll lead by example and no longer reply to his comments'.

But yet, here we are and you are again replying to my comments? How about that, more lies, rofl.

That dangling bait. Just couldn't help yourself, could you? But thanks for starting 2009 like you have started every other year, with more lies.

Perhaps you also ought to ask Joe to explain the difference between sucking up and making a fool of? Obviously you can't tell the difference, 'squire'?

Rodwalloper Anonymous -- 05/01/09 (in reply to #320120261)

The only rod you are bending is your own. You obviously don't listen to others when they keep telling you that they are no longer interested in hearing this bu||sh|t you keep raving on with. Build a bridge and get over your problems with Mel and Joe.

No your not interested, but keep replying, rofl. Anonymous -- 05/01/09 (in reply to #320120327)

Dear loser,

If you aren't interested in what I have to say, why do you keep replying? roflmfao. Have I upset you precious?

Plus why do you keep coming to Mel and only Mel's rescue, while Sydney Lawrence and Sydney Mike are both copping personal attacks even more so, elsewhere on ZD? Surely those who don't tell blatant lies deserve your gracious assistance before the chronic liar Mel does?

(((Hmmm I wonder why?)))

So where are your saviour/good samaritan comments here, being the concerned citizen you are?

http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Telstra-writes-to-soothe-shareholders/0,130061791,339293895,00.htm

I don't have a problem with Mel and Joe. I do have a problem with the incessant lies Mel submits and Joe's lap dog approach at agreeing with every lie. But i don't have a problem with either of them, because I do not associate with them personally.

But thanks again for the bridge idea. Perhaps I will build it and throw brainiac losers like you, off it.

By the looks of things you are the liar Anonymous -- 05/01/09 (in reply to #320120344)

I'm having a go at you because you can't get over the fact that you have personally bitter obsession with one person and pretty much the same with other people who are generally of the same opinion as him.

"I don't have a problem with Mel and Joe."

Every single word you have ever uttered on this website indicates otherwise, from the first word of the first sentence in every post you've written.

Therefore you are the liar you claim Mr Sommersberg is. You are a liar and you are deceitful, petulant and childish. You are also abusive, obnoxious and bloody minded. have I left anything out?

I'm not the least bit "concerned" about your behaviour here but I admit that I do find it bizarre. Having gone back through every reply you have made to Mel and Joe and a couple of other users, including a few Anonymous ones such as myself - yes, I'm going to be like you and not show my face, that way you can't sit here and stalk me as you have had these other gentlemen - I can see that both you and Mel (by his former handle of Lord Watchdog) are known to each other from the Bigpond Chat server. I've no idea what went on between the pair of you and for that matter I don't care to find out. Whatever message you have intended to deliver here has been delivered, to which 99.9% of the rest of us have said "big deal". From what has transpired after each time you have posted in a thread indicated a dire lack of interest from everyone.

You are forgetting that this website is one of 3 billion on the Internet. Do you think that posting a link to a post made by an impersonator as Mel claims and then posting about 100 times that he's a liar and then going ahead with an impersonation campaign yourself (perhaps you did so in the first place??) will lead to you getting any serious support from other visitors for your claims against Mel?

If you do then you are seriously lacking in judgement as well as the obvious lack of intelligence you have. I also note that you seem to be here a lot. 24/7 would be about right. I note that Mr Sommersberg, and others, ahve a random participation pattern whereas you seem to be here and offer us the benefit of your acute understanding of the world we live in only seconds later, no matter what time of the day it is.

I would suggest that you think about this and consider seeking psychiatric assistance because you seem to display psychotic and schitzophrenic tendencies.

If this ended up being the case then you wouldn't be a liar but a compulsive obsessive. Heh, at the moment you are probably all of the above.

Also Anonymous -- 05/01/09 (in reply to #320120352)

Mel Sommersberg is noted in several posts to be supportive of Sydney Lawrence when he has been personally attacked and in a couple of posts he has actually supported Mr Lawrence's opinion, particularly when that opinion involves the union movement and structural seperation of Telstra.

You need to broaden your idea of what research means instead of just going as far as suits you.

From the man who said, no personal attacks. Haha Anonymous -- 05/01/09 (in reply to #320120352)

I thought you didn't like personal attacks? But it's ok to attack me, hypocrite. So do I do like you now Mel, cry and make up a fictitious super hero character to speak on my behalf, rofl.

Don't attack poor Mel, who isn't you (sorry, I fell off my chair laughing), as you know more about Mel than Mel, Mel. Yes you are simply a fair and innocent bystander aren't you? One who walks and quacks like a duck, but isn't a duck. But if you aren't he, speaking of psychotic, why do you care and why do you hang on my every word? Also if so, you'd better come up for air gagger, before you choke.

Plus, you do realise that you are the one who keeps rekindling the issue. You may have noticed, that I hadn't commented for a few days and was starting to tire of it all. That was of course, until 'you' brought it up and started it all off again. Now I'm revitalized. Haven't you ever heard DFTT, thanks rofl.

I must admit you are correct with one aspect though. While 100% aren't interested in Mel's lies, I agree, 99.9% of people also aren't interested in me or my comments. That just leaves the 0.1% moron element who keeps coming back for more and that would be.....drum roll please 'you', lmao.

You are a real disappointment Mel. I handpicked you because of your smart **** attitude towards everyone who disagrees with you, your half truths and twisting of all info to suit your agenda and your extreme bias against Telstra. It could have been someone else with extreme bias against another Telco or ISP, or bias for Telstra. But there's really only one that's that Telstra biased, Sydney, and he cops it enough already, from you and your moron clones. Plus Sydney seems like a nice old bloke, who simply passes his retirement time, fighting for his beloved Telstra. He means no harm and wasn't always bitter, but the incessant personal attacks against him from the likes of you, seem to have battle hardened him.

Good thing about Sydney though, unlike you who sobs when your lies are aggressively exposed, Sydney never complains about the attacks against him. Plus hes not an egotistical, self centred, know-all, ***ck like you Mel. So the choice for my adversary was simple in the end.

But I expected some real fireworks from you. Instead you are a fizzer, a lemon. You have become (or rather have always been) a yawn sunshine/squire, I thought you'd at least put up minimal resistance? But alas you are just too easy to deflate and bring down to size. It's like taking candy from a baby, only the baby wouldn't sob incessantly, make up false names, blame others for their own comments, disgracefully lie and lamely make excuses, like you always do.

I look forward to you keeping your word (lol) and not lying, by not replying. But even more so, I look forward to another reply/lie from you. Because either way, as usual, 'you lose'.

Oh the suspense. bbl.

I'm not "he" Anonymous -- 05/01/09 (in reply to #320120363)

"But if you aren't he, speaking of psychotic, why do you care and why do you hang on my every word?"

Just to confirm, I'm not Mel, nor do I think he, or anyone else for that matter, requires my assistance. I'm doing this form my own reasons. All you are doing is confirming my suspicions - you are here 24/7 with the comments page refreshing all the time in wait for any replies to your rants. Looks like the cussons clean winner here is I.

Dear Fairy Godmother. Anonymous -- 06/01/09 (in reply to #320120370)

Darwin's theory may now be able to be proven, because 'I think we found the missing link' and he's just rekindled that fire again, lmao. What did I tell you about DFTT dude.

But seriously you're not 'Mel'? You're not the one who 'hangs on my every word'? Not the one who then uncontrollably 'is compelled' to reply (just like 'you' are compelled to). Well it certainly appears so doesn't it? Funny, since he uncharacteristically disappeared, you have magically appeared. So you, the 'fairy godmother', now replies for him. Rofl. I'm sure you make a lovely couple.

Wow with all that ranting, the excuses and Mel's well, everything about your comments, I thought you were him. Perhaps not? So since you've convinced yourself you're not him (although it seems you wish you were), you've convinced me too. Unlike your hero, you probably aren't lying, but you seem to have his dodginess down pat, so well done in the parrot stakes.

I do seriously believe you though. Well after all, Mel is a fizzer/lemon, but going by your extra lame efforts, you fall well below even that.

But how about that? You're simply doing this for your own reasons, what a coincidence, me too. But I am the 2nd man into this argument, whereas you are the 3rd, and all you are doing is exactly the same as me. So realistically, what ever you accuse me of, goes doubly for you, troll! Ooh, how perplexing, now I'm FTT.

So please enjoy your Cussons, as you will need it to wash your mouth, when you finally surface to take a breath, from beneath your hero's desk.

Telstra pays a lot of ratbags Anonymous -- 06/01/09 (in reply to #320120256)

And why wouldn't they (Telstra) sack him, if they knew his identity. I would certainly sack him, if he worked for me ! Talk about "biting the hand that feeds". I would not give him the time of day !

lol announcement,,, joe -- 06/01/09 (in reply to #320120419)

sorry anon... I'm sure telstra would loved to of fired me for my comments, but well, I beat them to it, just walked out then, along with 3 other people (not bad for the late shift which is all of 15 - 20 ppl), In light of Perth Service Advantage taking the ECA (whose payrise is mainly incentive based) telstra has 'reviewed' the targets that must be reached to earn said incentives... Residential FoH Clearance Rate (the % of cases which dont require a field visit through the actions of a consultant) has just put at 75%, that means for Res to get their 'payrise' they can only book a tech for 1/4 of all custs... payphones has been put to 85%, not to mention their AHT (time spent per cust) has been dropped to 55... thats less than 1 minute per customer....

So Yes... Joe is disgusted with telstra, and is no longer "biting the hand that feeds" He has quit, he would rather default on his rent than continue to watch telstra steam roll its workers, god i hope the union pulls through for their workers, the ECA's a decent offer... until telstra changes what you have to achieve to get the raise... bast^rds