Telstra resumes job cuts with another 750 roles to go

Telstra will soon commence the second major round of job cuts since June, with 752 jobs on the chopping block in this phase.

The telco didn't state where exactly the job cuts would stem from.

A Telstra spokesperson confirmed that the latest round of job cuts were part of the net 8000 cuts already announced.

“On Monday we briefed some our people on proposed changes that would see a reduction of 752 roles and the creation of 347 new positions. This would result in a net reduction of 405 roles should the proposal proceed.

“This proposal is in line with our T22 strategy to greatly simplify our structure and ways of working to empower our people and serve our customers.

“As we have previously announced, we expect to see an overall net reduction of 8000 roles as we implement our T22 strategy.”

The Community and Public Sector Union issued a statement saying that workers had been notified in every state and territory about the fresh round of job cuts.

“This is disturbing news for Telstra workers and customers alike. Telstra is pushing on with its self-destructive and short-sighted plan to slash a quarter of its workforce, ignoring the harm that will cause to staff and Telstra services,” CPSU deputy national president Brooke Muscat-Bently said.

“Each and every one of these 752 people makes a valuable contribution to Telstra. The impact from a mass sacking on this scale won’t just hit these workers and their families. It will be felt throughout the entire organisation. Sadly we believe this is just the start for the jobs apocalypse planned by Telstra management. Clearly sacking one in four workers isn’t going to help with faltering customer satisfaction in Telstra’s services.”

In June last year, the telco revealed its intention to cut 9500 employees and contractors from its workforce over the next three years as part of its Telstra2022 strategy.

The overall strategy aims recoup on the billions of dollars it could lose in the following years by simplifying its structure, reduce costs and improve customer experience. The restructure cost Telstra $600 million in the 2019 financial year alone.

Two months after the announcement, Telstra commenced the job cuts with a net 1200 roles gone, mostly from management, corporate units and back of house functions. By the time the job cuts are over, Telstra will have removed close to a third of its workforce.

“Telstra isn’t treating those workers who will remain any better, with the telco continuing to stand in the way of union efforts to negotiate a fair and decent enterprise agreement," Muscat-Bently said.

"Of particular concern is Telstra’s continuing refusal to agree to provide a dignified redundancy process, and that the company is still pushing what’s an effective wage cut on staff.”

“The only way for Telstra to halt its sad decline is for the company to recognise that its workforce is the company’s best asset. Industrial action is a possibility as we explore ways to make Telstra management see sense.”

Updated at 7:25AM 24 January to include comments from Telstra.