On the day that the new Fair Work Act has taken effect, the CEPU and other unions along with Telstra have released details of a new Principles Agreement designed to promote a better working relationship into the future (outlined below).

After 13 years of conflict driven laws, today marks the start of a new way for employers and unions to relate and deal with each other - for the mutual benefit of businesses and the employees that work there.

The following agreement makes a number of important points - and recognises that Telstra employees have a right to join and be represented by unions.

To give you a sense of how committed the parties are to this Agreement, it has been signed by Telstra CEO David Thodey, CEPU National President Ed Husic, the heads of all the major Telstra unions and ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence.

We think this is a very positive development, helping create a productive climate in which to finalise an enterprise agreement within Telstra.

Let us know your thoughts, via feedback@cepu.org
 

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Telstra and the Unions and the ACTU have discussed their shared objective of a productive working relationship. This document outlines the Principles guiding this relationship and the first steps the parties will take towards this aim.

1.    Parties Committed to Productive Working Relationship

The following parties are committed to the Principles outlined in this Document:

Telstra Corporation Limited (Telstra),
Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU)
Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU)
Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU)
Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists & Managers Australia (APESMA)
 

2.    Principles guiding parties

• The ACTU and unions represent, protect and advance the rights at work of their members.
• Union membership is a matter of employee choice. Telstra respects an employee’s choice to join a union and recognises the special role that unions play as a collective voice for Australian employees. Telstra also recognises that employees are entitled to be supported by their union in relation to workplace issues.
• Telstra is Australia’s leading employer and investor in the media communications industry. Telstra offers its employees industry-leading pay and conditions of employment. Telstra conducts its business in the best interests of its employees, customers and shareholders.
• The parties recognise the importance of the principles of respect, fairness, and open and honest communication. 
• Senior representatives of the parties will meet at least annually to discuss the Principles and an ongoing productive relationship.

3.    Fair Work Laws

In accordance with the Principles, the parties recognise that:

• Under the Fair Work Act, which commences on 1 July 2009, good faith collective bargaining is a feature of agreement-making.
• Like other businesses, Telstra is considering the new Fair Work laws and its good faith bargaining approach. 
• Telstra is committed to bargaining in good faith under the new laws with unions representing Telstra employees.
• The union parties are committed to bargaining in good faith with Telstra.
• The shared objective of the parties is to negotiate a new enterprise agreement as soon as practicable.

4.    Next steps

• The parties will agree to a joint statement reflecting these Principles.
• The parties will meet to set a timetable for discussions to resolve outstanding issues including enterprise bargaining.