Stephanie March

Updated February 17, 2012.



The Communication Workers Union is concerned more jobs will be lost as Telstra moves operations overseas.   :(

About 150 Telstra workers and their supporters held a rally in Melbourne to protest against jobs being lost to nations with cheaper labour costs.

Telstra is moving 255 IT jobs to India, and the union believes 90 more will go soon.   :(

Communication union national president, Len Cooper, says Telstra's handling of offshoring is causing great bitterness.

"The worst part of it is they are asking the workers to train the Indian workers who are going to facilitate taking their jobs," he said.

Mr Cooper wants a private members bill introduced to Federal Parliament to protect Australian jobs.   ;)

He says the bill should penalise companies that send jobs offshore and to give tax breaks to those that do not.

"Quite clearly there is a strategy being used by all these companies to take advantage of the cheap, non-unionised labour in other countries in order to cut their wages bill and increase their bottom line," he said.   >:(

A Telstra worker, who did not want to be named, has been with the company for 16 years and says he has been told his job will be sent offshore by June next year.   :(

"It's shocking you know, you have your family, your home loan, the career path you've chosen to develop - to have it taken from you is a bit of a shock," he said.

"My concern is the future as well, where does it all lead to, all these jobs going off shore? Once it starts where does it stop?"

"If the companies are just making purely economic decisions based on shareholder dividends and money then the country will have no work at all because of course we can't compete with India when someone over there is being paid a pittance," he said.   :(

REALLY IS IT ONLY TELSTRA MOVING JOBS OVERSEAS?????

COULD HAVE FOOLED ME!

just shows how one eyed these unions are.

Well at least the unions come up with a good idea, has it not?.   ;) 

cods wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 7:52am:

REALLY IS IT ONLY TELSTRA MOVING JOBS OVERSEAS????? COULD HAVE FOOLED ME! just shows how one eyed these unions are.

How is the Telecommunications Union reporting on Telstra job losses being one-eyed Cods? 

glee wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 7:59am:

cods wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 7:52am: REALLY IS IT ONLY TELSTRA MOVING JOBS OVERSEAS????? COULD HAVE FOOLED ME! just shows how one eyed these unions are. How is the Telecommunications Union reporting on Telstra job losses being one-eyed Cods?

I was just saying... EVERY BUSINESS IN THIS COUNTRY IS GOING OFF SHORE...OR HAVENT YOU NOTICED THAT EITHER??..oops sorry..

if it was up to me I think I would get all the unions to work together on this one.. not just to whimper about their own little piece of the action...

as you can see almost every business/industry has its own union now to deal with, all little empires..and dont forget as jobs go overseas.. so too do union fees.

in the last three days.. we have been told Qantas/ Bonds. Billabong. abudget airline.. Banks.

either going broke going offshore or cutting back staff..

thats all I am saying.

wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 7:55am:

Well at least the unions come up with a good idea, has it not?.   ;)

Mr Cooper wants a private members bill introduced to Federal Parliament to protect Australian jobs.   

He says the bill should penalise companies that send jobs offshore and to give tax breaks to those that do not.




are you serious???.... so you really mean that any business thinking of starting up in this country would make a deal with the devil...

if he finds it impossible to compete here and wants to leave he has to pay mega bucks for the privilege of saving his business.?



we already gave Bonds a heap of money!!! just for them to move off shore a few months later..


we are still subsidising the car industry and still its suffering..nothing changes.. they just get lazy and say oh well the govt will prop me up..

"Quite clearly there is a strategy being used by all these companies to take advantage of the cheap, non-unionised labour in other countries in order to cut their wages bill and increase their bottom line," he said.  Yes that's right, one only has to look at the banks.  Make huge profits- and sack how many staff?.   :(

cods wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 8:04am:

glee wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 7:59am: cods wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 7:52am: REALLY IS IT ONLY TELSTRA MOVING JOBS OVERSEAS????? COULD HAVE FOOLED ME! just shows how one eyed these unions are. How is the Telecommunications Union reporting on Telstra job losses being one-eyed Cods?  I was just saying... EVERY BUSINESS IN THIS COUNTRY IS GOING OFF SHORE...OR HAVENT YOU NOTICED THAT EITHER??..oops sorry.. if it was up to me I think I would get all the unions to work together on this one.. not just to whimper about their own little piece of the action... as you can see almost every business/industry has its own union now to deal with, all little empires..and dont forget as jobs go overseas.. so too do union fees. in the last three days.. we have been told Qantas/ Bonds. Billabong. abudget airline.. Banks. either going broke going offshore or cutting back staff.. thats all I am saying.

I have noticed thank you.  My own family is affected by the offshoring of jobs and I can assure you it is not a pleasant time for us. 

As for the Unions joining forces - can you imagine the union bashing that would result from that? 

cods wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 8:04am:

glee wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 7:59am: cods wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 7:52am: REALLY IS IT ONLY TELSTRA MOVING JOBS OVERSEAS????? COULD HAVE FOOLED ME! just shows how one eyed these unions are. How is the Telecommunications Union reporting on Telstra job losses being one-eyed Cods?  I was just saying... EVERY BUSINESS IN THIS COUNTRY IS GOING OFF SHORE...OR HAVENT YOU NOTICED THAT EITHER??..oops sorry.. if it was up to me I think I would get all the unions to work together on this one.. not just to whimper about their own little piece of the action... as you can see almost every business/industry has its own union now to deal with, all little empires..and dont forget as jobs go overseas.. so too do union fees. in the last three days.. we have been told Qantas/ Bonds. Billabong. abudget airline.. Banks. either going broke going offshore or cutting back staff.. thats all I am saying.

I was under the impression that this was the purpose of
the ACTU. I really couldn't imagine the ACTU taking this
lying-down if Bob Hawke was still leading it....

I do not have the answers, but this seemingly-endless
haemorrhaging of jobs and businesses to other countries
needs to be stopped somehow.

Citing high wages isn't a valid justification, and blaming
the current govt OR the last, is just a cop-out.

Some of us have always maintained that globalisation and
free-trade were not good ideas. This is one reason why.......

glee wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 8:14am:

cods wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 8:04am: glee wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 7:59am: cods wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 7:52am: REALLY IS IT ONLY TELSTRA MOVING JOBS OVERSEAS????? COULD HAVE FOOLED ME! just shows how one eyed these unions are. How is the Telecommunications Union reporting on Telstra job losses being one-eyed Cods?  I was just saying... EVERY BUSINESS IN THIS COUNTRY IS GOING OFF SHORE...OR HAVENT YOU NOTICED THAT EITHER??..oops sorry.. if it was up to me I think I would get all the unions to work together on this one.. not just to whimper about their own little piece of the action... as you can see almost every business/industry has its own union now to deal with, all little empires..and dont forget as jobs go overseas.. so too do union fees. in the last three days.. we have been told Qantas/ Bonds. Billabong. abudget airline.. Banks. either going broke going offshore or cutting back staff.. thats all I am saying. I have noticed thank you.  My own family is affected by the offshoring of jobs and I can assure you it is not a pleasant time for us.  As for the Unions joining forces - can you imagine the union bashing that would result from that?

sorry to hear that glee... just know someone that has taken redundancy for the same reasons.. its awful times..

my thinking is like this... wouldnt it be something if the union collaborated  to come up with solutions to prevent more of this... work with the govt and the business world..

be honest without business there will be no unions..yet the unions never take responsibility for their actions..


I am not against unions.. just some of their tactics disturb me..and I am appalled at job losses and our wonderful industries being crushed like they are.. we cant compete its that simple..

goin g off shore is saving their business we cant blame them for that..look at the reasons put them all on the table and work from there..

no it isnt all wages that drive them offshore..

BUT FIND OUT WHAT IT IS AND DO SOMETHING>>

according  to crook.. reward and punishment is the way...come on :(..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kat wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 8:20am:

cods wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 8:04am: glee wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 7:59am: cods wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 7:52am: REALLY IS IT ONLY TELSTRA MOVING JOBS OVERSEAS????? COULD HAVE FOOLED ME! just shows how one eyed these unions are. How is the Telecommunications Union reporting on Telstra job losses being one-eyed Cods?  I was just saying... EVERY BUSINESS IN THIS COUNTRY IS GOING OFF SHORE...OR HAVENT YOU NOTICED THAT EITHER??..oops sorry.. if it was up to me I think I would get all the unions to work together on this one.. not just to whimper about their own little piece of the action... as you can see almost every business/industry has its own union now to deal with, all little empires..and dont forget as jobs go overseas.. so too do union fees. in the last three days.. we have been told Qantas/ Bonds. Billabong. abudget airline.. Banks. either going broke going offshore or cutting back staff.. thats all I am saying. I was under the impression that this was the purpose of the ACTU. I really couldn't imagine the ACTU taking this lying-down if Bob Hawke was still leading it.... I do not have the answers, but this seemingly-endless haemorrhaging of jobs and businesses to other countries needs to be stopped somehow. Citing high wages isn't a valid justification, and blaming the current govt OR the last, is just a cop-out. Some of us have always maintained that globalisation and free-trade were not good ideas. This is one reason why.......

exactly.. the ACTU seems like a toothless tiger like the UN doesnt it?..

we are becoming a nation of blamers if we can blame someone or something else that seems to do it for us..

cods wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 8:22am:

glee wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 8:14am: cods wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 8:04am: glee wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 7:59am: cods wrote on Feb 19th, 2012 at 7:52am: REALLY IS IT ONLY TELSTRA MOVING JOBS OVERSEAS????? COULD HAVE FOOLED ME! just shows how one eyed these unions are. How is the Telecommunications Union reporting on Telstra job losses being one-eyed Cods?  I was just saying... EVERY BUSINESS IN THIS COUNTRY IS GOING OFF SHORE...OR HAVENT YOU NOTICED THAT EITHER??..oops sorry.. if it was up to me I think I would get all the unions to work together on this one.. not just to whimper about their own little piece of the action... as you can see almost every business/industry has its own union now to deal with, all little empires..and dont forget as jobs go overseas.. so too do union fees. in the last three days.. we have been told Qantas/ Bonds. Billabong. abudget airline.. Banks. either going broke going offshore or cutting back staff.. thats all I am saying. I have noticed thank you.  My own family is affected by the offshoring of jobs and I can assure you it is not a pleasant time for us.  As for the Unions joining forces - can you imagine the union bashing that would result from that?  sorry to hear that glee... just know someone that has taken redundancy for the same reasons.. its awful times..

  We will survive Cods - we always have.  If this is the worse life dishes up to us we are doing OK.

Quote:

my thinking is like this... wouldnt it be something if the union collaborated  to come up with solutions to prevent more of this... work with the govt and the business world.. be honest without business there will be no unions..yet the unions never take responsibility for their actions..

 
Without workers there would be no business.  It is a two way street.  I have worked for large and small business and owned my own for a time.  I can see both sides of this argument and the business sector also needs to take responsibility for some of their actions.



Quote:

I am not against unions.. just some of their tactics disturb me..and I am appalled at job losses and our wonderful industries being crushed like they are.. we cant compete its that simple.. goin g off shore is saving their business we cant blame them for that..look at the reasons put them all on the table and work from there.. no it isnt all wages that drive them offshore.. BUT FIND OUT WHAT IT IS AND DO SOMETHING>> according  to crook.. reward and punishment is the way...come on :(..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Profit is the only language business speaks.  There is simply no excuse to send jobs overseas if that company is making a profit.  You only need one company to do it and it gives others an excuse to do the same. 

Last I heard ANZ and Qantas both posted a profit.  Not sure about Billabong.

rofit is the only language business speaks.  There is simply no excuse to send jobs overseas if that company is making a profit.  You only need one company to do it and it gives others an excuse to do the same. 

Last I heard ANZ and Qantas both posted a profit.  Not sure about Billabong.


of course it is... and without profit their will be no growing..Qantas for instance have invested in new aircraft.. that dont need the type of maintenance  that is carried out in Aust..a lot of other business too use new techo..and therefore need fewer workers..we cant have it all ways glee..

I am still waiting to find out where all these jobs are that swan created

We will survive Cods - we always have.  If this is the worse life dishes up to us we are doing OK.
Quote:


well done and I wish you all well..look outside the box.. we get comfortable and dont like change.. [ I am one of the worst].. but in days like this its the only way. good luck.

cods wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 8:39am:

rofit is the only language business speaks.  There is simply no excuse to send jobs overseas if that company is making a profit.  You only need one company to do it and it gives others an excuse to do the same.  Last I heard ANZ and Qantas both posted a profit.  Not sure about Billabong. of course it is... and without profit their will be no growing..Qantas for instance have invested in new aircraft.. that dont need the type of maintenance  that is carried out in Aust..a lot of other business too use new techo..and therefore need fewer workers..we cant have it all ways glee.. I am still waiting to find out where all these jobs are that swan created

All aircraft need maintenance Cods.  Look at the issues with the cracks already showing in the new A380.  You really think Australian based Qantas workers cannot fix them but Asian based workers can? 

If new skills are needed to maintain the new aircraft then wouldn't it make more sense to retrain the staff Qantas already has? 

Release date: 17/02/2012.  Statment  By Tony Sheldon.

My thoughts are first and foremost with the workers, families and communities that have been devastated by yesterday’s announcement from the Qantas Group. Some 500 workers will pay the price for the company’s arrogance and bad decision-making. The TWU represents the large majority of the 150 workers at the Adelaide Catering facility which management announced it will axe next March. This workforce will in all likelihood be replaced by an outsourcing company.   :(

Once again, senior management’s arrogant, bullying and downright militant tactics were on show yesterday. Qantas thumbed its nose at Australian industrial relations law, giving no notice to unions despite being required to consult under the terms of Enterprise Bargaining Agreements and the Fair Work Act. TWU delegates met with senior Qantas management on Wednesday, including the head of QCatering, who did not have the courtesy to give notice as to the company’s intention with regard to these workers.   :(


Despite, rather than because of, Qantas’ senior management and Board, the airline remains profitable. This is down to the expertise, skills and dedication of their workforce and the loyalty of the Australian people to an Australian airline. If management had not shut down the airline and locked out their 35,000 employees, profits would be broadly in line with those from 2011.   ;)


From a business perspective, what should be highlighted is the continued failure to progress in any way with their much lauded Asia venture. Qantas management remains committed only to outsourcing work in Australia and off shoring jobs where it can.  :(

The Qantas Group has slashed jobs yet again to make up for their bad decision-making and focus on hedge fund managements. These decisions have cost 500 Australians their livelihoods, ripped the heart out of communities and further sullied the already tarnished reputation of a once great Australian icon. 

wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 7:49am:

Stephanie March Updated February 17, 2012. Problem is that the government has not the money to pay for jobs except for taxpayers' money and that is not made of elastic nor grows on trees. With more and more parasites crowding into the country and these women bearing kids for their four-wheel drives and adding our own populating kids for the Welfare scrapheap what hope is there for the future. The Communication Workers Union is concerned more jobs will be lost as Telstra moves operations overseas.   :( About 150 Telstra workers and their supporters held a rally in Melbourne to protest against jobs being lost to nations with cheaper labour costs. Telstra is moving 255 IT jobs to India, and the union believes 90 more will go soon.   :( Communication union national president, Len Cooper, says Telstra's handling of offshoring is causing great bitterness. "The worst part of it is they are asking the workers to train the Indian workers who are going to facilitate taking their jobs," he said. Mr Cooper wants a private members bill introduced to Federal Parliament to protect Australian jobs.   ;) He says the bill should penalise companies that send jobs offshore and to give tax breaks to those that do not. "Quite clearly there is a strategy being used by all these companies to take advantage of the cheap, non-unionised labour in other countries in order to cut their wages bill and increase their bottom line," he said.   >:( A Telstra worker, who did not want to be named, has been with the company for 16 years and says he has been told his job will be sent offshore by June next year.   :( "It's shocking you know, you have your family, your home loan, the career path you've chosen to develop - to have it taken from you is a bit of a shock," he said. "My concern is the future as well, where does it all lead to, all these jobs going off shore? Once it starts where does it stop?" "If the companies are just making purely economic decisions based on shareholder dividends and money then the country will have no work at all because of course we can't compete with India when someone over there is being paid a pittance," he said.   :(

-----

Well, you voted for a Labor/Greens Government nd that's what you have go.

Enjoy it!

But an industry, if pressured, will just close its doors or go overseas.

Stop flexing your muscles in your dreams, mate.

wrote on Feb 19^th, 2012 at 7:55am:

Well at least the unions come up with a good idea, has it not?.   ;)

-----

Unions do some good but today, they seem hell bent on wrecking every industry and the foolish members of these unions, remain dumb.

Union chiefs are mostly commos and these are just out to cause disruption - that's how they're wired.

I buy Australian products......When I hear an Indian on the phone I now hang up and think nothing more of it!!!

In order to guarantee Job and social security you need to put a restraining order on the activities of Government who have deliberately engineered the instability.  Now is the time for, the battle of Australia, now is the time for corruption, greed, lying, conniving, organized aggression and human inequality to be swept aside and the fresh breath of renewal will sweep this nation.  Struggle now, resist now, stand up now... 8-)