NBN protest disrupts Melbourne CBDBy David SwanHundreds of subcontractors working on the National Broadband Network downed their tools and walked off the job this morning, marching through Melbourne’s CBD protesting what they describe as a massive pay cut.NBN Co in June awarded a multiyear $440 million contract to Service Stream to install and maintain NBN services, amid a major nationwide fibre-to-the-premise upgrade program.Approximately 300 NBN workers have walked off the job rallying for better pay rates, and blocked a section of Collins Street with their work vehicles.CREDIT: PAUL JEFFERSVictorian technicians say that Service Stream is now forcing them into a pay cut of about 30 per cent less than their previous contracts, and warn that some workers may be forced into bankruptcy amid mounting cost-of-living pressures. Negotiations have broken down and about 300 workers led a convoy through the CBD on Friday morning, and protested outside Service Stream headquarters.Communication Workers Union acting national secretary James Perkins is calling on the federal government to intervene.“These are small businessmen and women who are being forced to the wall. If these rates are not changed, a lot of them will go out of business, which will result in the construction of the largest piece of infrastructure that this nation’s ever seen not completed on time,” he told this masthead.“This is an absolute disgrace.”Police monitor the protests in Melbourne.CREDIT: PAUL JEFFERSAn NBN Co spokeswoman said she was confident that NBN installations and services would not be disrupted as a result of the action.“NBN Co is taking appropriate steps to minimise potential impacts to customers connected to the NBN network while this activity takes place,” she said.A spokesperson for Service Stream said it respected the rights on individuals to raise their concerns, but strongly refuted the union’s claims.“Further, we have been seeking to work with subcontractors to understand their specific concerns and we will continue to do so,” they said.“Importantly, we confirm that our rates of pay have not reduced following acceptance by subcontractors at the commencement of our Victorian operations in July this year.”disallowed/national/australia-news-live-wong-condemns-israel-in-fresh-statement-chalmers-reveals-plan-for-ev-charge-20250822-p5mowk.html?post=p594pw#p594pw
Add to My Watchlist
What is My Watchlist?
 (20min delay)
|
|||||
|
Last
$2.00 |
Change
0.015(0.76%) |
Mkt cap ! $1.231B | |||
| Open | High | Low | Value | Volume |
| $1.98 | $2.01 | $1.97 | $3.285M | 1.646M |
Buyers (Bids)
| No. | Vol. | Price($) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30000 | $1.97 |
Sellers (Offers)
| Price($) | Vol. | No. |
|---|---|---|
| $2.00 | 3459 | 2 |
View Market Depth
| Last trade - 16.11pm 10/09/2025 (20 minute delay) ? |
| SSM (ASX) Chart |