Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Telstra ‘putting profit ahead of service’
The telco workers union has accused Telstra of chasing short term profits and says the decision to axe 8000 jobs will have a negative impact on service.
June 20, 2018
Telstra has been accused of putting profits ahead of service following its decision to cut 8000 jobs.
The Communications Workers Union, which represents staff at Australia’s largest telco, says the cuts will impact Telstra’s ability to service clients, particularly those in regional areas.
National president Shane Murphy says the decision will devastate thousands of Australian families and compromise the telco’s ability to deliver services.
“In an industry which is booming, Telstra has clearly chosen to prioritise short term profits to keep shareholders happy,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
“This is a recipe for reduced services, with Telstra’s highly skilled workforce of employees and contractors replaced by casuals and piece-workers.”
Mr Murphy said the jobs purge represented one of the largest ever undertaken in Australian corporate history and was a low-point since Telstra’s privatisation 20 years ago.
“(Telstra) has consistently taken the low road of cutting jobs rather than investing in vital community infrastructure,” he said.
“On behalf of Telstra workers and Telstra customers I am calling on chief executive Andy Penn to reconsider this drastic action.”