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Telstra, the incumbent telecommunications provider in Australia, announced this week that it would begin negotiations with its staff for a new collective agreement, in compliance with new laws requiring employers to bargain in good faith.



The company made this announcement by issuing a public statement, failing to respond directly to the unions who have asked Telstra for months to come back to the table. The communications union (CEPU) sees this as a continuation of Telstra's lack of respect for its staff and their representatives and an indication that the company will continue to fight good faith bargaining.



Telstra's announcement comes after a coordinated campaign by the three unions who have members within the company to defeat attempts to de-unionise Telstra's workforce.



The new CEO of Telstra has declared his intention to improve the company's public image and its relationships with stakeholders. If relations with workers are to improve, the company must make the negotiation of a new collective agreement a priority.