Fed: Centrelink staff unhappy with new rostering system

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2004
Fed: Centrelink staff unhappy with new rostering system

MELBOURNE, Dec 9 AAP - About 4,000 Centrelink call centre staff are holding lunchtime
meetings throughout Australia today in opposition to a new rostering system.

Centrelink has introduced a new computerised roster system, Total View, to replace
the previous system, Auto AP.

Workers lodge roster requests and expected workloads with the system which then provides
them with a four week roster.

The new rosters are expected to commence from Monday but many of the staff have had
unworkable rosters provided to them, the union said.

Community and Public Sector Union national president Mark Gepp said it has been "crazy".

"This new product has been a disaster," Mr Gepp said.

"Some employees have been rostered to work public holidays, weekends and have been
given two hour lunch breaks."

He said the 26 call centres throughout Australia were open only from Monday to Friday
between 8am and 5pm.

"The call centre employees are absolutely ropeable about it," he said.

Mr Gepp said members would call on management to immediately dismantle Total View and
meet the union to discuss its flaws.

He said if management did not comply, staff would meet again next week to discuss ways
to escalate the campaign.

Comment was being sought from Centrelink.

AAP bw/gfr/cjh/de

KEYWORD: CENTRELINK

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