Unionists protest Optus sackings

Kylie Moon, Melbourne

On April 12, 50 unionists protested outside the Optus city centre offices against the sacking of 70 field technicians in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The protest was organised by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU).

The workers were sacked by Optus for "operational reasons" and invited to attend a "free seminar" to learn how to write a CV to reapply for their job on an individual contract — under which they would have to buy their own vans, pay their own superannuation and workers' compensation insurance, and pick up other overheads.

CEPU assistant state secretary Burt Blackburne told the protest that the workers had received text messages that day advising them they could purchase the Optus vans for $10,000. "We estimate that with all of these costs incurred, these workers will be $200 to $300 a week worse off", said ACTU president Sharan Burrow. "Optus made $500 million in profit last financial year. They pay their CEO $2 million yet they can't treat their workers with the dignity and respect of a permanent job."

Under the federal government's new Work Choices laws, companies with more than 100 employees can sack workers for "operational reasons" and be exempt from unfair dismissal claims.

From Green Left Weekly, April 26, 2006.

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From GLW issue 665