ANNUAL LEAVE RESTRICTION
Members are reporting another attempt by Telstra to restrict annual leave, particularly during Nov, Dec, Jan and Feb. The complaint of members is that it is far too restrictive. The real problem is that Telstra will not retain enough staff as they must grant annual leave and LSL when reasonably requested. In order to deal with this we need each patch to advise of the Telstra proposal, the numbers of staff in the patch, whether managers are also affected, a suggested outcome and a contact point.
ISGM TANDEM PROBLEMS
The ABC in its 7.30 Report has exposed some of the dubious practices associated with the training of its staff who work on Telecom and NBN contracts. We have a number of members in ISGM and have raised a number of issues with ISGM. Usually they are settled on terms not to be disclosed. However the 7.30 Report has raised issues which members have also raised with us. More to come. See the video at:
AWA JP DISPUTE
Telstra is still proceeding with the proposal to remove the Job Points scheme from the Job Points AWA. We are continuing to assist members. The issues involve the pressure on members to agree to significant pay cuts, the lump sum payments, RDOs, Workers compensation and classifications. We have a special email bulletin for CWU members affected by this issue. You need to be a member and contact us to subscribe to the special bulletin.
LEAD POISONING – MEMBERS REPORT RESULTS
Many CWU members have been exposed to lead particularly with lead cables. Some members have recently reported that they have had blood tests and have been told that their lead levels well exceed the safe standard. The National Health & Medical Research Council recommends that if a person has a blood lead level greater than 5 micrograms per decilitre (ug/dl), the source should be investigated. If your blood lead levels are extremely high your doctor may recommend a treatment known as chelation therapy to rapidly decrease the amount of lead in your body.
LEAD POISONING – WHAT TO DO
If you suspect that you have been exposed to lead, and most lines staff have been, visit your doctor. He/She may recommend that you have a blood test to measure the amount of lead in your blood and determine whether you have lead poisoning. If you have a high level, you must submit an incident report and make a claim with Comcare.
LEAD POISONING – HELP OTHERS
Advise the CWU Vic Branch if you have a test. We want to know if you were involved in lead work and if so, what was your measured level of lead. We want to know this even if your lead level is not above the 5 ug/dl. We will keep names confidential. If we receive enough responses, then we can gauge the percentage of lines staff affected and advise you. The Vic Dept of Health will also receive a notification from the pathology laboratory if your blood lead level is greater than 5 ug/dl.
LEAD POISONING – HELP OTHERS WITH OUR SURVEY
We want to know even if your blood measurement is low!
Q1 Were you involved with lead cables or other lead exposure? Yes/No? Any comment?
Q2 What was your measured level of lead? Blood count =
Q3 Optional: Name? Phone?
