EPMU leaks letter that suggests a major line maintenance partner is popping at the seams, threatening phone and data lines. PLUS - RAW DATA: the Visionstream letter.

Telecom has conceded for the first time that some customers are suffering major delays as a result of the EPMU-lead industrial action against owner-operator contracts being offered to lines engineers.

Chorus spokesman Robin Kelly today told NBR that some Telecom customers, especially is Northland, had experienced significant downtime and connectivity issues.

 Yesterday, Telecom announced owner/operator staff working for its new contractor, Visionstream, would start work up to three weeks earlier than their original October 1 deadline.

Concurrently, field technicians employed by Telecom’s previous Auckland contractors, Downer EDi and Transfield, received notice that their last working days would be September 6 and 13.

But the Downer and Transfield staff will still be paid salaries through to September 27. Chorus says it does not want them to be disadvantaged by the earlier transition.

Telecom’s new network contractor, Visionstream, is set to take over all Auckland North and West field operations from Chorus during September – up to three weeks ahead of its October 1 deadline.

See also: Tuanz: Chorus is taking one for the team

Visionstream will start managing Chorus’ North Shore operations on September 7 and Waitakere on September 14. Visionstream has already taken over field work in Counties Manukau.

Amid strikes, the broadband ban, Carter-gate and Salary-gate, Telecom’s new contractor is apparently closing in on its target number to sign owner/operator contracts - in part thanks to a series of sweeteners.

Last night a Telecom spokesman said “Visionstream has now signed up more than 70% of their field workers. That’s what I call progress.” His comments were backed by a letter from Visionstream’s New Zealand country manager, Andrew Stevens.