Telstra workers and subbies both get short end of the stick

Telstra is about to introduce it’s new “Optimisation Project” to it’s field workforce.The CEPU advises members not to commit to the job quota system that is being proposed by Telstra management under the disguise of Telstra’s Optimisation Project.”If any member is pressured or threatened to commit to the job quota system they should seek advice from the CEPU immediately.Through this new “optimisation project”, Telstra expects to lift it’s Monday – Friday work cycle productivity by having CTs complete more work during the cycle, limiting work that is provided to sub-contractors. However, they will move toward a system of providing any excess work that requires completion on weekends to sub-contractors. Effectively reducing Telstra’s workforce overtime bill by using sub-contractors as cheap weekend labour.

This project is expected to have field staff working within one or two exchanges areas from there home if they live in their work area, or to the closet two exchanges within the employees work area.

Further, management now have an expectation on the field workforce that each individual CT must commit to a certain number of jobs per day and if that work cannot be completed then they must contact their team leader to provide reasons to why this work was not covered.

Under the current terms of conditions of employment for EBA staff there is no requirement for CEPU members to provide to their team leader any exact job quota number per day.

Telstra management, through this project, are attempting to wedge their labour resources against each other. On a week day Telstra workers are good enough to cover most of the work while limiting subbies’ work, though subcontractors will be provided the majority of their work as Telstra’s preferred workforce.

In the future, Telstra workers may choose to put their family commitments above their commitments to overtime when it is required. And as for subbies, they may choose to reconsider what service they will provide to Telstra whilst they continue to be used as cheap weekend-only labour.

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