Telstra workers vote on strike action
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The meeting also discussed Mr Trujillo's remuneration package. (AFP: William West)
Telstra workers are voting on whether to take urgent industrial action over pay claims, as the company's annual general meeting (AGM) of shareholders is held in Melbourne today.
Communications Electrical Plumbing Union (CEPU) national president Len Cooper says workers are furious about Telstra's ongoing refusal to negotiate a collective agreement with its employees.
"People are angry, because on one hand you've got a company with a CEO getting the type of remuneration of [$13.4 million] a year and a 14 per cent increase last year and they are refusing to give even a cost of living increase for the workers in the company," he said.
The unions want a 7 per cent pay increase over the next three years to cover the increased cost of living.
If today's vote by 7,000 unionised Telstra workers passes, a combination of short, rolling and indefinite strikes will be held in mid-December.
Meanwhile, Telstra has defended the pay packets of its senior executives, including that of chief executive Sol Trujillo, at the meeting.
The head of the Telstra board's remuneration committee has told shareholders that the company performed strongly and delivered shareholder value.
Charles Macek says Mr Trujillo has transformed the company but may not receive the whole amount because not all share performance measures were met.
"Sol Trujillo's total reportable remuneration for 2008 is some $13.4 million," he said.
"But it is important to note that reported remuneration is not the same as take home pay or value to the executive."
The results of the ballot on industrial action will be known on December 9.
- ABC/AAP
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