Deloitte workers reject pay cuts

by Jules Andrews

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has sprung to the defence of 
600 IT workers at Deloitte Consulting, after the company demanded they 
accept pay cuts of up to 52 per cent or face redundancy.

"Deloitte Consulting management are treating staff in a thoroughly 
reprehensible manner", said CPSU spokesperson Stephen Jones.

"Staff are telling us they are determined to fight these outrageous attacks 
on their pay and their jobs."

The CPSU won a temporary reprieve for Deloitte staff last Wednesday, when 
the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) ordered Deloitte back 
to the table to renegotiate the contract changes.

The company had originally set a September 6 deadline for staff to accept 
the pay cut. If they did not accept, they were told their employment 
contract would be terminated on September 30.

"I think most people would agree this is completely unacceptable", said Mr 
Jones. "Unfortunately, management have so far declined our offer to work 
co-operatively to resolve these issues, so we have asked the AIRC to 
assist."

The issue is driving up membership at the CPSU, which had 20 members at 
Deloitte Consulting before the pay cuts were proposed but now claims about 
115 members at the firm.

Counsel for Deloitte Nick Ruskin stated the salaries were "being realigned 
to the marketplace". At the AIRC hearing, he cited the September 11 attacks 
and Enron collapse as contributing factors.

The outcome of the negotiations between Deloitte and the CPSU is expected 
to be known by Thursday September 12.