HA-HA having been unsuccessful in stopping the NBN they are now in a panic to put up a good showing.

Sounds to me like Telstra should worry about it's own backyard (i.e. providing a decent offer to employee's to replace the just expired EA), rather than trying to talk down the apparently so disorganised competition - they may find their own ability to build the network compromised before too long.

Telstra can't / won't deliver an ADSL connection 1100m from an ADSL cabinet to my premises. I'm still not convinced Telstra can deliver a NBN. I think it is too early for Telstra to criticise other vendors when Telstra doesn't have the contract to go ahead with the NBN build. Many companies such as Dell, Dick Smith started as small backyard operations, if in Telstra's mind Terria are no threat then there is no need to keep advertising such antagonistic propaganda. If Telstra are truly so great then the NBN build will hopefully come your way, otherwise Telstra you are starting to sound a little worried about the opposition.

Phil, True but the company announced in a statement that eligible employees voted against the agreement "by a narrow margin" Also, "Employees will remain on the terms and conditions of the current Telstra enterprise agreement," the statement said. Do you seriously believe that Telstra would disrupt its work force on the eve of a possible major project which Mr Trujillo conceded the project would be a tall order for even Telstra's extensive resources. Clearly, it's a ploy by "unions of turning the contract issue into a means to influence the federal government's industrial relations policies." A deplorable attitude of bugger the national interest as long as they achieve what they want. Some extracts Courtesy:
http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,27753,24357611-31037,00.html

Vasso,
It was Telstra that walked away, not the unions and Telstra's move looked suspiciously well orchestrated. Maybe that affected the vote?
So that begs the questions- did Telstra learn nothing from it's poisonous dealings with Helen Coonan? Isn't it breathtakingly naive to annoy the unions when the NBN bid is about to be considered by a union-friendly government?
Just get back to the table so we can build this thing!

Telstra walked away because the unions decided to put their own agenda (an illegal one at that) ahead of the good of its members.

Russell, my understanding is that legal matters necessitated Telstra's withdrawal to safeguard its eligibility to participate in the NBN bid. The "poisonous dealings with Helen Coonan" are best forgotten since is was to the detriment of our National Interest and herself, in particular. Had she had the right sense, NBN would have been well in the past today. I have great respect for what the Union movement did for Australia in yesteryears but Australia's workforce is now sophisticated enough to push its own barrow and make up its own mind. In Business two elements are critically important (1) Labour & (2) Capital. Capital is currently in disarray. Consequently, the burden clearly lies on Labour shoulders. If we fail, it's goodbye.

People, People, People. This is a wonderful forum for us to air our dirty washing.
The original comment here was with reference to the fact that Terria are looking for help. It would be negligent of Telstra not to do something to ensure it had control of its existing staff and had the ability to reduce its future running costs if it wins the NBN. Hence the ECA's. Let's face it, regardless of Telstra winning or loosing it still has the largest standing work force. The NBN will be like the communications industries version of the resources boom. Skilled workers will be in great demand. Here is an opportunity to get some rebalancing of pay and conditions that is a win, win for ALL parties. Show some sense and get everyone on-side.

Russell I just read your post again and realised the thinly veiled threat at the bottom. Are you sugesting that the "union friendly government" would chose the builder of the NBN based on some union representation rather than the one that can do the best job? Wouldn't that be against the law?

Yeah,yeah, the big, bad union excuse is wearing a bit thin these days. These people are paid to act like grown ups. Maybe I am the naive one to expect them to be honest about their intentions.