White Pages to drop 90% – AMWU

Melbourne’s White Pages directories are taking a 90 per cent cut in the number printed, according to Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU).

Printers represented by AMWU at Western Sydney based PMP Chullora claim the cut in Telstra’s order of the 2011/2012 White Pages will cut production from nearly 1.4 million to 165,000.

Tim Ayres, NSW Secretary for AMWU views the move by Telstra as being covert, with little public notice of the decision.

“Telstra needs to demonstrate to the public how they will deliver on their community service obligation, as legislation requires Telstra to deliver a printed white pages directory to every business and residence with a fixed line,” said Ayres. “It will be hard for Telstra to demonstrate how they are not breaching their commitment with this cut back.”

As 130 specialist print worker’s jobs are now at risk the union will be working closely with PMP management to secure jobs.

Last year PMP chief Richard Allely predicted the decline of White Pages as it has becomes less relevant with more people opting out from receiving it. Yet he is relaxed and confident about the company’s relationship with Telstra's Sensis subsidiary as five years remain on its seven-year contract.

Allely says he understands AMWU’s concerns, confirming Telstra is required by current legislation to provide fixed line homes with a printed copy of White Pages, adding that printing the telephone directory for Telstra is not an insignificant cost.

PMP will continue to print both White and Yellow Pages in Australia and adhere to the contract under the assumption that numbers will reduce. Sensis did not return phone calls at time of going to press.