The cut is part of Telstra’s plan to stop universal delivery of metropolitan White Pages telephone directories from this year, according to the AMWU.

Printing metropolitan Telstra White Pages is normally a significant part of PMP’s workload in the first half of the year. Workers at PMP have also told the AMWU that orders for the other state capitals have not yet been received.

Tim Ayres NSW Secretary of the AMWU says Telstra should come clean about its plans for White Pages delivery this year for the sake of the public and for the sake of the 130 specialist print workers whose jobs are now at risk.

“We understand that communications technology is changing – but Telstra should engage in genuine community debate on this issue for the sake of the public and for workers across the White Pages manufacturing supply chain who fear for their future.”

Ayres continues, “The print orders show that Telstra has either made a unilateral decision to stop delivering White Pages directories from this year, or it is collaborating with the Federal Government to change laws requiring Telstra to deliver a printed directory to every residence with a landline.”

The AMWU has approached both Sensis (Telstra’s wholly owned directories arm) and communications minister Stephen Conroy seeking certainty about the future of printing and delivery of White Pages directories, but have received no information about Telstra’s plans.

Ayres says, “Our members have noted there is no reduction in printing volumes of Yellow Pages directories, which link advertising revenue to distribution. If they are going to cut costs by stopping printing and distribution of White Pages, Telstra should at the very least be honest about its intentions.”

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