Brisbane call centre bans workers from celebrating International Women's Day
By ASU-Central & Southern Qld C&A Branch
Mar 8, 2007
Brisbane call centre Australian Communications Exchange (ACE) has been caught out banning an International Women's Day (IWD) morning tea organised by workers for IWD today, 8 March 2007. The federally funded call centre, which provides telephone relay services for the deaf community has also told its predominantly female workforce that their refusal to downgrade pay and conditions in a proposed WorkChoices agreement may cost them their jobs, and workers were advised they could not celebrate morning tea as had originally been planned with the company.
The workers are currently employed under a State agreement negotiated with their union, the Australian Services Union. The workers' union representative was recently told to leave the premises after advising ACE that workers didn't want to give up their existing pay and conditions.
In a communication to staff on Monday 5 March, Chief Executive Officer for ACE Mr Wayne Gilbert said, "The EB Committee rejected this proposal, refusing to negotiate terms which will allow ACE to remain competitive in a market where ACE may in the future be undercut by overseas competitors... As negotiations with your union have broken down, ACE now looks to you directly to ensure that your employment with ACE continues... If a replacement agreement is not made... Brisbane Relay Officers will not receive a pay rise and the long term viability of the company will be in jeopardy."
ASU Secretary Julie Bignell said, "This is a blatant and unnecessary attempt to manipulate loyal and hard-working people into thinking unless they give up their hard-won conditions as well as their union representation they will lose their jobs. It's despicable and the community should tell ACE to remember what they're there for. It's a waste of taxpayers' money for management to play these games and engage Top of the Town Lawyers to push these women around. They love serving the deaf community and they want to do their jobs without being ripped off or threatened with off-shoring."
The courageous workers have decided to go ahead with their morning tea despite management intimidation, choosing to celebrate IWD on the footpath with their colleagues.
For comment: Julie Bignell, ASU Branch Secretary 3252 8666 or 0404 820 627 Further info: Jo-Anne Delacourt Smith ASU Communications Officer 0420979342
Contact: Julie Griffiths
USU Director, Women, Child Care, Youth and Aged
(02) 9265 8211
