Call Centres

Optus call centre workers say "yes" to the ASU

Optus call centre workers in South Australia have voted overwhelmingly (65%) for the right to join the ASU. This was despite Optus management actively opposing staff having the right to choose.

The postal ballot was ordered by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission after Optus opposed ASU applications to allow Optus call centres workers in South Australia to be represented by the "call centre" union. Over the last 4 years the ASU South Australian branch have received numerous requests for representation and have acted for staff who continued their membership from previous employment.

Optus call centres are generally non unionised and management want to keep it that way by pursuing costly technical legal arguments to keep the ASU out even after the majority vote. Further hearing dates to determine whether the ASU should have coverage are set down for mid December 2005.

Optus actively oppose unions in the workplace and do not want call centre staff to have the choice of belonging to the best union for their occupation.

The actual ballot/survey and results can be in the Related Documents section at the bottom of this news item.

Related Documents: