7 October

MEDIA RELEASE

Chorus move to Visionstream a risk to job conditions and future fibre services

E tū says confirmation by Chorus today that Visionstream will take over Downer’s fibre installation work is a further nail in the coffin of the network’s quality.

Downer revealed in August that it would not retender for any more work laying fibre for Chorus.
In a stock exchange update, Chorus has confirmed Visionstream will take over Downer’s contracts for the lower and central North Island, as well as key towns in the lower South Island, including Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, Queenstown, Invercargill, and Dunedin.

E tū’s Industry Co-ordinator, Communications, Joe Gallagher says Visionstream uses the owner-operator model, which is backed by Chorus but not properly funded.

“It’s ironic that Chorus would put out a statement about Visionstream improving the quality of the fibre work,” says Joe.

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“We don’t believe that. If you look at the state of the Auckland network, there is clear evidence of neglect of the copper network, and growing evidence of poor quality fibre installations under the owner-operator model.”

Joe says many owner operators are migrants, who become dependent contractors who can’t earn enough to make ends meet.

“Chorus has created a model which allows the exploitation of migrant workers”, says Joe.

ENDS

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