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Issue No. 149 | 23 August 2002 |
Our Historical Mission
Interview: Something Smells Cole-Watch: Credibility Crisis Unions: Union Cities Industrial: Lib Men Gang Up Against Working Mums History: Eureka! East Timor: Don�t Rob Their Future Review: Black Chicks Say It All Poetry: Self Regulation
Cole to Hear of Criminal Takeover Conspiracy ANZ Fined Over Freedom Of Speech Breach Qantas Union's Gorilla Tactics Shearers Black Ban Their Hall Of Fame Democrats Fire Shot for Workers Teachers Walk Out At Aust College of Technology Airport Security Worker Spat At And Assaulted CBA Workers Say Enough Is Enough Doco Dishes Dirt On Howard�s Gas Wrangle
The Soapbox The Locker Room Postcard Week in Review Bosswatch
Susan's Soccer Outrage
Labor Council of NSW |
Media CBA Workers Say Enough Is EnoughBy Amanda Tattam
Commonwealth Bank staff will refuse to do unpaid overtime and other extra work imposed on them in response to the latest, massive round of job cuts announced this week. A union directive issued today is advising Finance Sector Union members to stick to their job descriptions and send the bank a clear message about the disgraceful slash and burn approach to jobs and customer service. The bank announced a record $2.56 billion profit while at the same time insisting that an "uncertain and challenging environment" would result in 1050 job losses nationally. This is on top of the 500 redundancies revealed three weeks ago. The bank insists the jobs will go mainly from back office operations, but the union believes the losses will be felt hard in retail branches, especially in regional and rural areas. Sharron Caddie, Finance Sector Union Victorian branch secretary (Commonwealth Bank Officers Section) said this time the CBA had "pushed members too far". "Enough is enough. We have given our members a firm directive not to do any additional work that they are not paid for." Already, one branch has delayed its opening time by half an hour because of a shortage of staff, said Ms Caddie. "People thought if they did the right thing, they would be safe. But what this latest round of job cuts shows is that no one is safe. It hasn't been done for the customers or the staff." Under the award, job descriptions outline roles at each level, so it is easy to track whether higher grade duties are being done by people on lower grades. An enterprise agreement with the bank prevents any protected industrial action by members, but Ms Caddie is confident that considerable pressure can be placed on the bank by staff sticking to their job descriptions. The union has 75% coverage in the CBA. FSU will continue to fight to protect member's interests and use all available avenues to represent them. The union will also lobby on behalf of local communities and the small business sector to ensure CBA does more than just pay lip service to the Australian Banking Association's Code of Banking Practice.
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