Vic: Unions go to court in attempt to save Telstra jobs

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2000
Vic: Unions go to court in attempt to save Telstra jobs

Unions will go to court tomorrow, claiming Telstra plans to discriminate against union
members when it begins culling thousands of jobs later this year.

Four unions representing Telstra employees will seek an urgent Federal Court injunction
to prevent up to 16,000 job cuts foreshadowed in the company's half-year report.

They believe an internal e-mail reveals the telecommunication giant's intention to
target Telstra's unionised employees in preference to workers on individual contracts
when it begins the cull.

Community and Public Sector Union state secretary STEPHEN JONES says staff are fearing
for their jobs and fearing for their freedom of choice.

Telstra expects to finalise by the end of the month its strategy to cut 16,000 jobs,
which is a part of a $650 million cost saving exercise.

AAP RTV hmg/er/wz/jn

KEYWORD: TELSTRA COURT (MELBOURNE)

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