CEPU: The public tells Government: Telstra employees should have choice

According to opinion polling commissioned by the CEPU, almost 90 per cent of Australians believe the Federal Government must now intervene to ensure that Telstra workers are represented by their Union, if they choose.

The survey follows Telstra’s decision to walk from EA negotiations – and refusing to return to the bargaining table. It was also released after a last minute effort by Telstra to stop Unions from criticising the company’s non-Union deals was rejected by the Federal Court.

The poll results send a strong message of community support to those Telstra employees being forced this week to vote on Telstra’s deficient Wholesale and Service Advantage non-Union deals.

The Auspoll findings at a glance…
The poll of 1,200 people across Australia - conducted by research firm Auspoll on behalf of the CEPU - shows:

- 88% of those surveyed think it is “unfair” of Telstra to refuse to negotiate a collective agreement with staff and try to then outsource jobs to lower wages;

- Nine in ten (88%) of those surveyed think the Federal Government should act on their promise and guarantee workers a choice to negotiate a Union collective agreement (if they choose) before 2010.

86% of those surveyed believe it is the Federal Government’s responsibility to ensure that Telstra workers are able to be represented by their Union, if they choose.

The CEPU has released the findings to the media, saying the survey is proof that the Australian community wants the Federal Government to protect the rights of Telstra workers. It’s also a clear message to the Federal Government – step-in, intervene and change legislation to make Telstra bargain in good faith.

Despite Telstra workers wanting to negotiate a collective Union agreement, Telstra wants to squeeze member entitlements in the last months of the unpopular WorkChoices laws. The Australian people voted down WorkChoices at the last election – and companies like Telstra need to respect the community’s demand for fairer workplaces.

The CEPU has sent the survey results to Federal Parliamentarians today – asking them for their support to secure the rights of Telstra workers in Parliament.

REMEMBER: Vote NO to the Wholesale and Service Advantage non-Union wage deals!