AU: Human Services row over ‘biometric’ call snooping

Julian Bajkowski reports:

The alleged introduction of controversial “biometric” call monitoring and performance management software into frontline client services at the federal Department of Human Services has erupted into a fresh industrial dispute between staff and management.

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) on Thursday accused management at the welfare giant of shirking their legal obligation to consult with staff over the rollout of the new system dubbed ‘MTS’.

In a bulletin to members the CPSU said that it had given formal notification of a new industrial dispute over what it claims are moves to “implement powerful new monitoring and performance management technology across SMART Centres without releasing all relevant documentation or consulting with staff.”