One.Tel workers are calling for Brad Keeling to be up-front with the cash he has committed to them, fearing it could be up to two years before they see the money.
Bound by public pressure and the Prime Minister's intervention, Keeling has proposed to underwrite a shortfall in workers' entitlements relating to annual leave to the extent of AU$3.5 million.
However, Keeling will only pay up in the event that the administrators are unable to realise enough assets to discharge indebtedness to employees to the extent of AU$3.3 million.
The process of realising the company's total assets could take any where up to two years, according to the Communications and Public Sector Union (CPSU).
"If his offer is genuine he'll be prepared to pay up-front and claim back from the administrator [if he needs to] when the total assets are realised," CPSU organiser Sean Rahui told ZDNet.
The CPSU met with Keeling yesterday and discussions were described as "quite constructive" by the union, however, fellow director Jodee Rich has not been as forthcoming.
"We've invited him to talk to us but he has not returned our invitation," Rahui said.
The CPSU is calling for Rich to retract his offer of contribution, claiming "it's not helping anyone".
Rich's offer to pay back to the company AU$4.2 million -- the net amount he received on his AU$6.9 million bonus -- is on the basis of a deed of company arrangement, which means the company continues to operate.
Rich also committed the balance of monies representing aproximately AU$2.1 million -- if he can recover it from the tax department -- and 500 million One.Tel shares.
The administrator is obliged to review his offer and in the meantime, the embattled telco is incurring losses of AU$2 million a day.
"If it goes on for another week, that's another AU$14 million not available to staff," Rahui said.
The union is also currently fighting for casual workers -- who could account for up to 25 percent of One.Tel's total workforce -- to be recognised for severance payments alongside permanent workers.
Some employees have been casual -- or part-time -- for up to three years, according to Rahui.
"We're in discussions with the administrator to try to get them to recognise [the duration of] that service."
The Communications Union still has no guarantee that staff will be in a One.Tel job after tomorrow.
"For a number of staff we expect it will be their last day of work tomorrow," Rahui said.
