EPMU claims “highly misleading”: Visionstream

Media Release
August 24, 2009

EPMU claims “highly misleading”: Visionstream

Claims by the EPMU that telecommunications technicians signing up to Visionstream’s owner operator model could see their incomes halved are highly misleading, the company says.

Visionstream New Zealand Manager Andrew Stevens says the rates the company is offering owner operators have been calculated so that field staff maintaining a level of output in line with the current industry average can expect to maintain a similar level of income, and those with good productivity levels could achieve a significantly higher income.

Mr Stevens says it is difficult to make a general statement regarding income levels as each owner operator effectively decides where, when, and how they work.

However, he says Visionstream’s data is in line with anecdotal evidence provided by contractors presently working in the New Zealandmarket, and with research on the owner operator model carried out for Chorus by business consultancy Deloitte.

“The figures bandied about by the union give a totally false impression of what the average owner operator is likely to earn,” says Mr Stevens.

“The owner operator model provides workers with an excellent opportunity to use their skills to build a profitable and successful business, and ensures a high standard of service for our customers and for consumers.”

Visionstream is a specialist communications infrastructure service company with a field force of more than 2,000 owner operators that has provided design, construction, commissioning, and ongoing network maintenance services to the telecommunications industry for the past 13 years. As part of a 10 year contract with Chorus in Auckland and Northland, Visionstream is offering owner operators a comprehensive package including training and back-office support, as well as a contribution towards tools, equipment, and insurance costs, and access to an interest-free loan.

To learn more about Visionstream, visit www.visionstream.co.nz

This release issued on behalf of Visionstream New Zealand by:

ENDS

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