
Issue No 88		16 March 2001

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News

Staff Demand Action as Jobless Number Grows

By Dermott Browne

New figures show that more than 600 jobs have been cut from Centrelink's callcentre network over the last nine months, adding further pressure to the growing number of unemployed.

The Community and Public Sector union says the cuts are mostly from rural and regional areas including Townsville, Geelong and Toowoomba.

Up in arms over shrinking staff numbers and growing client queues, government welfare workers are taking their concerns to local communities and MPs. Centrelink staff will meet next week to plan a lobbying campaign aimed at ensuring Centrelink has enough staff to do its job properly.

CPSU spokesperson Mark Gepp says Centrelink staff have been infuriated by recent Government 'spin' suggesting Centrelink staffing is increasing, not decreasing.

"Let's not forget that this government has cut 5,000 jobs out of the agency over the last couple of years," said Mr Gepp.

As a result of the Government's relentless winding back of staff numbers, Centrelink service levels are being affected. Centrelink's own internal reports show that more than 80% of clients can't get through to an operator when they call. Similarly, the waiting time for job seeker interviews has now blown-out to two weeks because of staff shortages.

"Our members are taking this issue directly to the community and local politicians. As the economy contracts, more and more Australians will need our help. It is vital that the Government reverses the cuts to Centrelink staffing," added Mr Gepp.

The Figures

Adelaide: June 2000 244; Feb 2001 228

Bendigo : June 2000 101; Feb 2001 103

Brisbane June 2000 289; Feb 2001 256

Bunbury June 2000 242; Feb 2001 224

Cairns: June 2000 116; Feb 2001 115

Cardiff: June 2000 150; Feb 2001 135

Coffs Harbour : June 2000 132; Feb 2001 104

Darwin: June 2000 25; Feb 2001 24

Geelong: June 2000 308; Feb 2001 176

Gosford : June 2000 163; Feb 2001 154

Hobart: June 2000 114; Feb 2001 107

Illawarra: June 2000 144; Feb 2001 113

Kalgoorlie: June 2000 1; Feb 2001 7

LaTrobe: June 2000 236; Feb 2001 172

Launceston: June 2000 79; Feb 2001 89

Liverpool: June 2000 197; Feb 2001 176

Moorabbin: June 2000 321; Feb 2001 258

Moreland: June 2000 168; Feb 2001 128

Perth: June 2000 149 Feb 2001 160

Perth City: June 2000 124; Feb 2001 108

Port Macquarie: June 2000 128; Feb 2001 117

Sydney : June 2000 156; Feb 2001 132

Toowoomba: June 2000 113; Feb 2001 107

Townsville: June 2000 182; Feb 2001 110

Tweed: June 2000 94; Feb 2001 81

Wendouree: June 2000 135; Feb 2001 137

TOTAL: June 2000 4111; Feb 2001 3521

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  Issue 88 contents

Interview: Labor Law
Shadow Attorney General Robert McClelland outlines his plans for workers entitlements, legal aid and a Bill of Rights

Unions: Poetic Justice
The ACTU kicked off its 2001 Living Wage campaign this week with a new shock tactic: poetry.

Technology: Big Brother�s Legacy
Organisations with restrictive staff email polices risk locking themselves in the Industrial Age by treating their staff as units to be monitored.

Corporate: Scumbags Exposed
On the eve of the inaugural Corporate Scumbags Tour, we look at the worst of the worst from the Top End of Town.

International: Playing Away
Pat Ranald looks at a proposal to hold Australian companies to basic standards when they invest in developing countries.

Environment: Nuclear Titanics
The Maritime Union has joined Greenpeace in a campaign to stop our seas becoming a nuclear highway.

History: Out of the Bog
Neale Towart looks at the life of big Jim Larkin, one of the heroes of an Irish trade union movement that continues to thrive.

Politics: Westie�s Macquarie Street Alert
The Workers MLC, Ian West, provides the first in a series of regular rundowns on the upcoming Parliamentary session

Review: The Next American Century?
How will the United States maintain its global power in an era when the very notion of the nation-state is under challenge?

Satire: Dollar Crashes Through Psychological 0.00c Barrier
The bedevilled Australian dollar dropped below the crucial 0.00c barrier losing its battle to avoid the humiliation of being worth less than the commemorative Bradman coins distributed by the Sunday Telegraph last weekend.

» Directors Face Criminal Charges Over Super Scam

» Call Centre Code Picks Up Speed

» Staff Demand Action as Jobless Number Grows

» Lifeguards to Down Togs Over Sweaty Speedo Scam

» Hotel Workers Refuse to Raise Sweat

» Blood on the Beds at Sleep City

» Paint Lock-Out Claims First Victim

» Casino Workers Seek Full Metal Jacket

» Leichhardt Council Endangers the Public

» Casual Teachers Break Through

» Tide Turns on Award-Stripping

» Workers Demand Seat on Racing Board

» Shangri-La Faces D-Day

» Fiji PM Appointment Illegal

» Activists Notebook