Telstra Hangs Up on Sick Workers

A Telstra call centre worker collapsed on the job after being denied paid sick leave.

The Bathurst woman had two days off with a respiratory condition, but returned to work before she had recovered because she could not afford to have any more time off.

The AWA she was on stipulated payment of sick leave was at the discretion of management.

Days after returning she collapsed and was hospitalised for a week.

The woman did not want to be named for fear of intimidation.

Community and Public Sector Union regional secretary Stephen Jones said new employees had no choice but to sign sick leave stripping AWAs.

"Compare this to their own colleagues under the union negotiated Enterprise Bargaining Agreement - who are guaranteed 15 days leave each year if required for personal or carer's leave - and the unfairness is plain to see," Jones said.

The situation has become a focal point of community attention in Bathurst with a public meeting held last week.

"The Bathurst community deserves better from Telstra, one of the biggest local employers ... It's just not right," Jones said.

Jones said unfair individual contracts would become more common with the Federal Government's planned changes to workplace laws.

"This means that current conditions, such as sick leave, annual leave, weekends, overtime and penalty rates are now under threat," Mr Jones concluded.

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Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:37 EST