Concern at regional Telstra job losses

October 27, 2010

The impact of Telstra’s announcement today of 950 job losses as a result of the  company’s new operating model will be felt in regional areas, Shadow Minister for Regional Communications, Luke Hartsuyker said today.

“Although Telstra claims the loses will predominately be in capital cities, the restructure of Telstra CountryWide will clearly have impacts on Telstra regional workforce,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

“Telstra needs to inform the public where the job losses will be located and what services will be affected.  Many regional areas are dependent upon the jobs provided by companies such as Telstra and the company has an obligation to ensure its workers aren’t placed into hardship as a result of downsizing.

“Telstra’s decision today comes shortly after the company decided to close its call centre in Grafton, resulting in a loss of 108 jobs.  The Gillard Labor Government’s communications policies are creating a wave of uncertainty for employment in the sector, which is being heightened by the forced migration of Telstra’s fixed lie customers to the Government owned NBN Co.

“There is consumer concern that the new Telstra entity doesn’t lose the regional focus when Telstra Countrywide is merged into the metropolitan business.”

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