Telecommunications
Know your rights when taking part in industrial action
(26 February, 2009): Telstra needs employees to work overtime and respond to recalls/call backs to remain operationally effective in normal times.
This is even more so nowadays, because it has chosen to lay off tens of thousands of trained, skilled and experienced staff over the years, thus creating severe shortages in many parts of the business.
They lay them off to increase profits and they then rely on the remaining staff to work even harder and longer hours.
Even worse, during the current industrial action by CEPU members, in order to try to keep some sort of operational efficiency against a mountain of “back-logged” tickets of work, held orders and the like in many parts of the business, management desperately resorts to pressuring, cajoling, even insisting in some cases, that employees work overtime and in many cases unreasonable amounts of overtime.
They also pressure staff to take recalls/call backs during the week (Monday to Friday), as well as weekends, particularly following the CEPU weekend bans on overtime and recalls, to again try to survive against the mounting backlog in various parts of the business.
Many members and other employees are getting sick of the overwork, the stress and the pressure.
You need to understand that you cannot be forced to work overtime because in some circumstances the definition of “reasonable” overtime can be zero.
It depends on your personal, family and other circumstances. If you find you simply cannot do it, because of certain circumstances, just refuse.
Similarly with recalls/call backs. You cannot be forced to respond. Your time is your time, not work time, unless you want it to be. Once again your personal circumstances are primary.
You would understand of course that if you are unable to respond to emergency recalls/call backs, then you won’t be paid the various allowances you are entitled to when you do work.
It is a fact that the staff shortages and the industrial dispute are due to management decisions and failures, and therefore it is reasonable to reach the conclusion that you shouldn’t wear the stress, pressure and overwork that Management is trying to force on to you.
Backlogs of work are backlogs and the industrial dispute creating them has been caused by Management’s refusal to negotiate like any normal, sensible management should. Why should you wear the stress, pressure and pain from their mismanagement?
If you don’t think you can work OT and recall/call back during the week, particularly because of your health, peace of mind, or family etc, then simply say no.
Contact the union with any difficulties via feedback@cepu.asn.au.