Island retreat preceded Telstra's big jobs cut...

Island retreat preceded Telstra's big jobs cut

www.theage.com.au

Illustration: Cathy Wilcox
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By Jeni Porter, Sydney
February 2, 2006

JUST before Telstra chief executive Sol Trujillo unveiled his plan to slash jobs and improve customer service, he spent $1.3 million booking out an island in the Whitsundays for a senior staff getaway.

Staff members and guests spent the weekend on Lindeman Island last October as a reward for their performance.

Telstra spent $3500 a head for the weekend away where Mr Trujillo and his wife, Corinne, reportedly got into the swing of things on the disco floor.

A month later, Mr Trujillo unveiled his ambitious strategy to spend $26 billion over five years on new technologies and cut 12,000 jobs.

Telstra this week revealed the cost of the island jaunt after being questioned about it during Senate estimates last year by Opposition communications spokesman Stephen Conroy.

Telstra spokesman Rod Bruem defended the trip, saying it was necessary to reward high achievers in a way that was in line with its competitors. Rival AAPT took top sales staff to a resort in Mexico last year.

Telstra held a similar event in Port Douglas in 2004 that cost $1.6 million.