As many as 200 telecommunications engineers have taken the protest route against the Chorus/Visionstream contract, as they think that Telecom is compelling them to become dependent contractors.

In the month of June, Chorus (Telecom network access business), declared that field operations would be carried out by Australian firm Visionstream in the Auckland- Northland region, taking over from existing service providers Transfield Services and Downer EDi Engineering.

An owner-operator business model will be introduced by Visionstream as a part of the new arrangement, under which engineers would be required to buy their vehicles and equipment.

This change might significantly decrease engineers' income, as per the Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU), which adds that it is a purely contractual agreement rather than a business investment for engineers.

According to EPMU national secretary Andrew Little, "There will be sporadic strike action around New Zealand over the next few weeks and this will cause delays in getting home and business faults fixed and phone and broadband connections installed."

Little added that a proper employment offer is being sought by the union; however, so far Telecom and Visionstream are not willing to negotiate.