Vic; Telstra staff wait for commission outcome

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2000
Vic; Telstra staff wait for commission outcome

MELBOURNE, April 27 AAP - Hundreds of Telstra workers have put off industrial action
until a dispute over the downloading of pornography is heard by the industrial relations
commission today.

The commission hearing comes after 27 staff were suspended last week for downloading
alleged Internet pornography through Telstra's computer system.

The union says the staff were suspended because the communications giant wants to avoid
hefty redundancy payouts ahead of a planned 10,000-strong cut to its workforce.

Telstra denies the claim, saying the issue is a disciplinary matter.

Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) state secretary Len Cooper said
a mass meeting to consider industrial action today was deferred until tomorrow after the
Australian Industrial Relations Tribunal confirmed a hearing for this afternoon.

"So we felt it would be pretty useless having a meeting before then," Mr Cooper said.

Mr Cooper said consideration of industrial action would depend on the outcome of today's hearing.

The CEPU will allege that Telstra failed to consult the union before suspending 27
workers and warning 35 others for storing downloaded Internet pornography.

Technicians discovered the images during routine checks on the company's computer system.

Telstra says the workers have contravened the company's code of conduct.

AAP nl/er/as/bwl

KEYWORD: TELSTRA CEPU SECOND DAYLEAD

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