Foxtel installers are threatening to take industrial action, saying they’re under increasing pressure to cut corners when installing the pay TV service.
The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) on Thursday launched a campaign for better working conditions, after new contracts were introduced earlier this month that cut pay rates and imposed fines for taking sick days.
The union says 94 per cent of the installers, who are under the management of telecommunications contractors BSA and Downer, are being pressured to cut corners because of restrictions on pay rates and time allowances.
97 per cent said they expected to earn less this year than they did last year.
91 per cent said they were already struggling to pay their bills at times.
“These installers are just asking for a fair go. If Foxtel continues to ignore this issue installers will take further action,” CEPU NSW assistant secretary, Shane Murphy, said in a statement.
“Any action is on the table, we are ruling nothing out at this stage.”
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) said Foxtel was exploiting workers by employing them as individual contractors through a labour and hire company.
“These workers are victims of the epidemic of insecure employment practices across Australia,” ACTU president, Ged Kearney, said in a statement.
“Foxtel is a respected Australian brand, which should take responsibility for installers’ work conditions rather than hiding behind the cover of downstream contractors.”
The CEPU is calling on Foxtel to intervene and is in the process of making a submission to the Independent Inquiry into Insecure Work, chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister Brian Howe.
“Installers are feeling the pressure but it is Foxtel customers that are really going to miss out,” Murphy said.
“With cuts to pay rates, if installers have to choose between doing a good job that makes them late or cutting corners to get to the next job and avoid a fine, they’ll avoid the fine.”
Foxtel distanced themselves from the issue and said the proposed industrial action would not affect its customers.
“This is a matter between an independent installation company and some of its contracting suppliers,” a Foxtel spokesman said in a statement.
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