Union ups the ante over NBN

According to an article in the Australian, the Communications union is preparing to escalate its dispute with the company building the $36 billion National Broadband Network over its decision to suspend construction tenders.

Representatives from the Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union, the Australian Services Union and the ACTU will today meet with executives from NBN Co in Sydney to discuss the company's decision to indefinitely suspend construction tenders.

NBN Co announced on Friday it would halt tenders for the building of the government-owned wholesale network because it did not believe proposals submitted by 14 shortlisted construction companies offered value for money.

Allen Hicks, the NBN project co-ordinator for the CEPU, yesterday told The Australian the union would meet with NBN Co today, where it would demand a more detailed explanation for the failed tender process.

A spokeswoman for Senator Conroy said "The minister accepts he made an error".

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