Call Centres

AIRC says ‘yes’ to ASU members in Optus

The ASU's coverage of South Australian workers in the Optus call centre has now been officially recognised by the independent umpire, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC), despite attempts by Optus to stop staff who are ASU members having their union recognised.

ASU National Industrial Officer, John Nucifora, said: "Optus underestimated the resolve of the ASU members who have always claimed that call centre and customer service employees should have the right to join the union of their choice.

"Unlike their marketing catch cry 'yes,' Optus said 'no' to the staff who wanted to be ASU members every step of the way. A bit rich from an organisation that has benefited from choice in the telecommunications industry."

The ASU, along with the CEPU, will seek to hold Optus accountable for its employment practices, in particular offshoring call centre work and escaping superior State OHS and Workers' Compensation schemes through the Federal Government's new Comcare licensing scheme.

The AIRC decision allowing ASU coverage reconfirms that employers objecting to union coverage matters face a heavy burden of proof to show they will be harmed by changes.