Ex footy star Peter Tunks sues 2SM for underpayment

Prominent ex rugby league player Peter Tunks is suing Australian broadcaster Radio 2SM for two decades worth of lost wages.

Greg Inglis with Peter Tunks.

Prominent former rugby league player Peter Tunks is suing Australian broadcaster Radio 2SM for two decades worth of lost wages, claiming he was told he would get the sack if he kept raising concerns with management.

Tunks, who was a premiership player with the Canterbury Bulldogs in the 1980s and played 10 Test matches for Australia, co-hosted Radio 2SM’s Talkin’ Sport from 2004 alongside well-known sporting identities including former Test cricketer Gavin Robertson, former rugby league player and commentator Graeme Hughes, and one-time rugby union player Brett Papworth.

But, one year ago, Tunks left the program suddenly.

Peter Tunks in his playing days.

It can now be revealed the Sydney-based broadcaster has lodged a Fair Work application in the Federal Circuit and Family Court, alleging the radio station — through director Bill Caralis — offered him “sham” oral agreements for ongoing shifts at a rate which dropped from $400 to $300 per shift, starting once a week on Saturdays and eventually three days a week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Tunks alleged he was originally paid via invoices that he hand wrote every week between 2004 and 2007, but thereafter was paid without any paperwork, according to his statement of claim, seen by The Australian.

He said he worked no less than 51 hours a week which included nine hours of hosting, nine hours of research preparation plus 32 to 35 hours watching and reading about sports for talkback analysis.

On behalf of Radio 2SM, lawyer Paul Cott told The Australian: “The proceeding is being defended and the claims made are strenuously denied.

“A defence is being prepared. As the matter is before the court, the respondents will not be commenting further on the matters in dispute at this time.”

Tunks said he complained to his on-air colleague Hughes about “unfair” wages at least once a year every year since about 2008.

“Mr Hughes would respond and say words to the effect that it was a take-it-or-leave-it scenario, if the Applicant continued to complain and or raise the issue with Caralis he would get the sack and probably be out the door,” Tunks’ filing said.

Despite his longstanding hosting spot, Tunks claimed he has never been paid annual leave — including when the show broke for holidays for four weeks annually — and was never paid superannuation, long service or personal leave, nor did he receive payment for preparation time.

All that is worth $373,408 and Tunks said he was also owed interest and damages for suffering and injury.

Radio 2SM’s defence is due to be filed in September. Mr Caralis died last month.