
Issue No 84		16 February 2001

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

News

Another Major Centre Takes Union Call

By Noel Hester

International call centre giant Sitel, a major player in the Australian contract call centre industry, has a reached a landmark agreement with the Australian Services Union.

Sitel and the ASU have agreed on an enterprise agreement covering Sitel's 300 seat call centre in Sydney. Sitel is an outsourcing call centre that performs customer service for a wide range of Australian and international companies.

ASU Call centre Organiser Sally McManus says the agreement enhances Sitel's drive to be an 'employer of choice' in the competitive call centre industry.

'The labour market is tight. Employees are voting with their feet when pay and conditions do not measure up to the expectations of the job,' she says.

'Sitel and the ASU have negotiated an agreement that sets pay levels well above the industry average, extends breaks, introduces penalty rates, overtime and other standard benefits for an industry that does not yet have an Award.'

'The aim of the agreement is to ensure staff are happy with their employment conditions. Sitel saves money through reducing employee turnover and it makes them even more competitive by attracting the best call centre staff in Sydney.'

'Our members are very happy with the agreement with 80% of employees endorsing the agreement.

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  Issue 84 contents

Interview: Life After Wartime
After ten years representing the interests of the labour movement in Parliament, Jeff Shaw is back at the bar. And loving it.

Legal: Why the Freeloaders Should Pay
Michael Costa explains why service fees are not only fair - they are economically rational.

Organising: Young Activists Bask in Union Summer
Sydney students have spent three weeks of their summer holidays experiencing on-the-ground work with unions.

Unions: Things Are Looking Up On The Dock
After six years as a call centre worker, Marios Ellas has joined the union movement. Here's his first impressions.

History: Trades Hall � The Royal Connection
Republic, who needs it when we have the Trades Hall decreed by Royal Imprimatur? So tug your forelock as work commences to restore the building.

International: Greetings from Hong Kong
Chan Wai-Keung from the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions outlined the challenges facing Hong Kong workers.

Politics: One Nation - The Old Labor Link
The resurgence in One Nation in the WA election has the pundits again reaching for the tea-leaves. But are they pouring from the wrong pot?

Review: Elect the Ambassador
Labor frontbencher Duncan Kerr unveils his vision for a new international democracy.

Satire: Man Buys Big Issue for the Articles
A Melbourne businessman claims his recent purchase of the "Big Issue" was due to his interest in the magazine's editorial content.

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» Another Major Centre Takes Union Call

» Transport Passes Key Issue for Young Workers

» Shier Calls the Cops! - Fear and Loathing at the ABC

» BHP Contracts Battle Goes Back to the Coalface

» Newcastle Mill to be Union Project

» Government Must Lead on Casual Leave

» Della Ends Discrimination on Leave Entitlements

» Rural Safety Campaign Pays Off

» Mom Always Said � Don�t Break a Picket