Fresh Optus cull claims another 440 staff

Optus will slash another 440 staff from its ranks as the carrier continues to shed headcount in an effort to control costs in line with its rivals.

Confirmed on Wednesday, the latest retrenchments are over and above the 400 positions eliminated in May 2018, taking the total reduction to 840 in just six months.

“As we continue to evolve the way we work, do business and fund future investments we are removing duplication, improving our operating efficiency and embracing next-generation technologies, like digitisation and automation to achieve this goal,” a statement from Optus said.

“As a result, certain roles will be impacted, including 440 roles being made redundant. We are speaking with affected employees first, and discussing redeployment opportunities where available.”

The cull comes as large carriers try to mitigate pressures on revenue from shrinking margins. Telstra in June announced it was culling a whopping 8000 jobs from its ranks, essentially an entire layer of management.

Unions have decried the sackings but remain largely powerless to mitigate them other than to ensure entitlements are paid.

The shrinking employee headcount number is a serious headache for registered organisations like the CEPU that is losing members to cuts across both telco and postal workplaces.

Optus said the latest cuts were necessary.

“We are structuring our organisation to become the next-generation Optus and continue to meet the needs of our customers,” the carrier said.