Award modernisation update
The CWU remains in discussions with two major telco employers over the development of modern enterprise awards.
In the case of Telstra, discussions have reached a point where the CWU and other Telstra unions believe that the Fair Work Commission needs to be involved.
This is because there remain some fundamental differences of approach between us. Telstra still wants the modern industry award to form the basis on the new enterprise award while the unions have taken the current Telstra award conditions as their starting point.
The unions have written to Telstra indicating their view and the Commission has now been approached to convene a conference on the matter.
In the case of Optus there have been fewer disagreements although there remain some outstanding matters, largely in relation to rest breaks and allowances, which may have to be resolved by the Commission if agreement cannot be reached in the coming weeks.
The Optus application for a modern enterprise award, which the CWU supports, is listed for a Full Bench hearing on 22 August.
