Telstra wants new shift work system for Workflow employees
Telstra has told the CWU that it proposes to introduce new shift work arrangements for Workflow employees.
Workflow currently operates on a 7 day a week basis, with some employees engaged as shift workers and others working ordinary hours plus overtime. Telstra says it now wants to introduce shift work at all Workflow sites so as to create a “consistent operating model” nationally.
The CWU met with Telstra on 21 April to discuss details of the proposal. We indicated that one major problem was the creation of rosters which did not appear to allow staff any two consecutive days off work.
More generally, the union questioned whether the proposal was in line with the current Enterprise Agreement which clearly states that “an employee who is not a shift worker can’t be required by Telstra to become a shift worker” (p.13).
At the meeting Telstra emphasised that the new arrangements would be voluntary. But its written advice to the union states that the proposals as it stands assumes that all affected employees will, in fact, volunteer!
A further meeting with Telstra is scheduled for Monday 27 April. Members will be informed of developments. Meanwhile, members should note that participation in these proposed changes is strictly voluntary.
