CWU opposes rest break changes
The CWU has told Telstra that it continues to oppose changes to rest breaks for directory assistance staff in its Melbourne, Maryborough and Toowoomba call centres.
The changes which will involve a 67% cut in paid rest break time in the centres.
On 26 March Telstra informed the CWU of its decision to proceed with the proposal. Prior to that, the CWU and other Telstra unions had met with Telstra on three occasions to outline their objections to the rest breaks cuts.
Basically the union’s position is that the intensity of the work performed by directory assistance staff has not changed to such a degree as to warrant a two thirds reduction in break time.
The CWU has proposed that an independent risk assessment be made in relation to the changes but Telstra has to date rejected this.
The union will now consider what further steps are open to it and its members under both the current Enterprise Agreement framework and under workplace health and safety laws.
