Visionstream claims don’t match the figures - EPMU

Visionstream claims don’t match the figures - EPMU

Visionstream’s claims that lines engineers wouldn’t face a drop in income under its contract don’t match the figures, says the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union.

The EPMU has independent legal and commercial analysis based on the proposed contract and rates supplied to members by Visionstream that show a significant loss of income and conditions.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says the EPMU’s claims are backed by hard evidence.

“From the start we’ve fronted with hard numbers and facts to back our public statements. The same can’t be said for Visionstream.

“Our information has been provided by independent analysts who tell us lines engineers could face an income cut of more than 50%, would have no guarantee of regular work and would have to shoulder huge business risks.

“This is in addition to having to accrue up to $60,000 of debt to pay for their own van, tools and business setup costs.

“As we’ve come to expect, Visionstream has failed to back up its claims with any hard evidence.

“Visionstream might have some credibility if they could guarantee regular work with minimum levels of pay and remove the clause in their contract that says the company will not be bound by any statement made prior to signing.

“Our members are telling us they can’t even get straight figures from Visionstream in the one-on-one meetings. The terms being offered by Visionstream seem to change from minute to minute depending on who they’re talking to.

“We’ve provided independent analysis to back up our statements. Visionstream has provided nothing but bluster and still refuses to deal with the workforce’s chosen representatives in good faith. Given this, we don’t believe their public statements have any credibility.”

Copies of the EPMU’s independent accounting and legal advice is available at the links below:

http://www.epmu.org.nz/assets/Electrocomms/PETER-CASTLE-OPINION.pdf

http://www.epmu.org.nz/assets/Visionstream/Acura-Accountants-Analysis.pdf

An FAQ of the dispute is available at:

http://www.epmu.org.nz/assets/Visionstream/Telecom-FAQ.pdf

ENDS

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