Ref: SLD 08/04
14 January 2008

CEPU (Communications Electrical Plumbing Union)
Communications Division representing Telstra,
Australia Post, Optus and other communications
sector employees.

Telecommunications Sub Contractors Association, 1st Floor, 139 Queensberry Street, Carlton South VIC 3053 Ph: 03 9349 4411 Fax: 03 9349 3488
E-mail: cdtsvic@victs.cepu.asn.au


TELSTRA'S SUB CONTRACT LABOUR TREATED LIKE SLAVES. THE LID IS SET TO BLOW!

Not only does Telstra try to cut workers pay and conditions by forcing Telstra workers out of the company to be replaced by workers on AWAs with poorer pay and conditions, but they are exploiting sub contract labour to an extent not often seen in Australia. This is being done in part by:
• Sub contractors being forced to perform unpaid work
• Sub contractors being forced to work 6 or 7 days per week, from 7am to 7pm with nothing extra for week end work and public holidays
• Sub contractors being required to travel up to 500 km's in some States, to perform work with no extra remuneration for time travelled
• Sub contractors being required to provide all equipment, vehicles, materials, and tools at their own expense
This is the lot of Telecommunications sub contractors, engaged to do the work of former Telstra workers who have been made redundant. Telstra externalises all these costs as well as requiring these workers to pay their own workers compensation, superannuation costs and all work related insurances.
These are workers who set up their own business, but they have no freedom to negotiate their contracts of engagement. They can be dismissed without fair process, they are constantly bullied, they are forced to breach even the most basic of occupational health and safety principles, and they do not have the freedom to take any action to improve their lot.
"Perhaps the worst aspect of their outrageous mistreatment is that they are often forced to perform unpaid work. This aspect is worse than slavery because the slave owner at least had to provide its slaves with food and shelter" said Len Cooper spokesperson for the Telecommunications Sub Contractors Association.
From the research we have done, most of the Telecommunications Subbies would be lucky to take home 40 thousand dollars per year after all their work related costs are taken into account and what is more Telstra requires these subbies to take remuneration cuts every year, not even an increase equivalent to the consumer price increase,” said Len Cooper.
The Trades Practices and so called competition laws left by the Howard Government and the industry structures set up by Telstra, have simply made it nearly impossible for these small businesses to pressure the big companies like Telstra to provide subbies with a fair deal.
The subbies feel like slave labour and their accountants often advise them to leave and go on to the dole because they would be better off.
Despite the law, despite Telstra's extreme exploitation, despite the cards stacked against them, the telecommunication subbies have decided to fight. They are angry at their ongoing mistreatment. They will mobilise for public support, they will consider truck blockades and other protest action and they are determined to take strike action if necessary, despite the huge barriers in the law. What is more they are going to be talking to the new Federal Government to make the Trades Practices laws more balanced in relation to the subbies and not just a play thing for big companies like Telstra.


Authorised by and further enquiries to:
LEN COOPER
Spokesperson for
Telecommunications Sub Contractors Association
M. 0438 389 302
Ahs: 9330 2668