24 August 1978
STATEMENT ON THE TELECOM DISPUTE
This morning the discussion between Telecom and the Australian
Telecommunications Employees Association before Commissioner
Clarkson, broke down.
Commissioner Clarkson had been working on a compromise proposal
to settle the Telecom dispute. Telecom had accepted his
proposal, as indeed it had his earlier proposals. The union2e-z-4'-
has rejected the proposal. The proposal was reasonable and
fair, and would have protected the interests of all parties.
It would have allowed a review of A. T. E. A. classifications.
It would have provided adequate and proper consultation on the
development of the new technology necessary to protect the
interests of the Australian consumer.
The dispute, which has been going on for the best part of a month,
now enters a most serious stage. On Mlonday and Tuesday, union
officials will be seeking endorsement of their rejection of
Commissioner Clarkson's proposals. It is time for the
Government to state-its own position in this dispute. The
continued industrial action by the A. T. E. A. is causing great
inconvenience and harm to tens of thousands of people throughout
Australia. It is gravely disrupting business right throughout
Australia. Communications are bound to deteriorate further,
causing more hardship to individuals and more damage to
business, and to Australia's international reputation.
The Government fully supports the decisions taken by Telecom.
It believes that Telecom has been reasonable in a very difficult
situation. Telecom has fully supported Commissioner Clarkson' s
proposals for settlement. The Government fully supports
Telecom's policy of no work, no pay.
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Over 3,000 employees are already off pay because they
have refused to do the work they are paid for.
The number will inevitably increase significantly.
Wages are now being lost at the rate of $ 1.6 million a
fortnight, and so the hardship on A. T. E. A. members alone
is considerable, and is bound to increase. They will not
regain that pay.
The Government also endorses the decision of Telecom to
commence de-registration proceedings against the A. T. E. A
forthwith.
The union has resolutely rejected not just one, but three,
sets of proposals by Commissioner Clarkson.
The members of the A. T. E. A. have a responsibility to
Australia. They are in a service industry which is
essential to this nation. Australia needs them. They
need Telecom for their jobs and their security. They
are unlikely to find other jobs as well paid for which
they are qualified.
I suspect the public is not aware that Telecom has given
a ten-year guarantee to A. T. E. A. members against any
retrenchment as a result of technological change.
What other industry, what other employer, has achieved
that in terms of security for its own employees?
Against this background, I think it is necessary for me
to be more specific.
The Government supports Telecom, and it will continue to
do so because in supporting Telecom it is supporting the
interests of all Australians.
We have a long-standing tradition of arbitration in this
country. The union officials are now seeking to throw
that tradition aside. They refuse to accept the umpire's
decision. Commissioner Clarkson said that he was " bitterly
disappointed at the lack of leadership shown by union
officials." They are saying " It must be our decision
and on our terms."
That view is not acceptable to the Australian community,
and it is not acceptable to this Government. / 3.
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The Commonwealth has a range of legal powers available
to it, and it will not hesitate to use these powers if
members of this union do not accept their responsibility
to the community.
The longer that this dispute continues, the more the
families of A. T. E. A. members will suffer; the more wages
they will have lost.
Commissioner Clarkson expressed the hope that A. T. E. A.
members would be given the opportunity to consider his
recommendations and see the sense of them.
Members will have that opportunity on Monday and Tuesday.
I ask the members of the union to reflect upon these
matters, to consider what is in their own interest, and
what is in the interest of their own families, and the
interest of this nation.