
Issue No 69		01 September 2000

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

Tool Shed

Koala Killer Descends From Bank Fairyland

In a fiercely contested week Commonwealth Bank boss David Murray fights off strong challenges from Alexander Downer (almost two weeks in a row!), and the perennial contender Piers Akerman for our Tool of the Week.

Just when you thought they couldn't go any lower the banks find even deeper subterranean passages of lowlife to take up shop.

In the same week as announcing a record $1.7 billion dollar profit CEO David 'Chopper' Murray visited the real world from Bank Fairyland and claimed the Commonwealth Bank couldn't afford to give its hard working staff a moderate pay rise.

(John Laws knew a good thing when he saw it. Bank bosses are so thick when it comes to PR anyone with the minutest knowledge of spin could make a killing out of these drongos.)

Murray also announced the Once Was a People's Bank was being forced to offer individual contracts to all its 28,000 workers because it 'hasn't been able to get anywhere' with the FSU.

Naturally, it is a mere coincidence that CBA General Manager of Human Resources Les Cupper said 18 months ago that the Bank's vision (fantasy?) was for the majority of staff to be on non-collective employment arrangements.

Cupper along with CBA Chairman John Ralph honed their union-bashing skills at notorious union-hating minerals giant CRA-Rio Tinto before moving into the more urbane environment of bank gnomes.

One thing you can say about Murray - he's not one of those bullshit snag bosses passing himself off as a 'facilitator' or 'coach' or 'leader'. (Richard Sennett describes 'leader' as the most cunning word in the modern management lexicon; a leader is on your side rather than your ruler.)

No sirree, Murray's more from the John Elliot school of headkicking, drill seargent, no nonsense business management. The sort of manager that pays himself $1.9 million dollars a year, (73.5 times more than a CBA teller) and cashes in four million plus in stock options. All for the wonderful community contribution of branch closures, job killings and exorbitant fees for everything bar breathing bank air.

In a memorable outburst Murray complained that his highly unionized workforce is a 'protected species' and 'a koala park, the protected lot, not to be exploited or shot at'.

You could argue - as the FSU does - that just like koalas Commonwealth staff are an endangered species because they're losing their branches through exploitation and greed.

David Murray is Peter Reith's dream - a zealous corporate kamikaze ready to push the boundaries with individual contracts. And like Reith, a very, very nasty tool.

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Issue 69 contents

Interview: Global Warrior
International unions have won a game of political football with soccer`s hierarchy - and Aussie Tim Noonan is behind the victory.

History: King of Broken Hill
John Shields recounts the colourful life of William Sydney 'Shorty' O'Neil (1903-2000) and his place in the rich history of a remarkable town.

International: History Repeats At Firestone
More than 8,000 workers, members of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA), are set to strike at nine Bridgestone/Firestone plants in the United States at midnight tonight.

Politics: The Past We Need To Understand
In his Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture Malcolm Fraser retraces the path of Australian race relations and laments the terrible impasse we've reached.

Unions: Economic Democracy
Sharan Burrow on making Working Australia's money talk and reforming corporate culture for the 21st Century.

Satire: Another windscreen washer joins millionaire list
SYDNEY, Monday: After just a year in his new job, John Samuels has added his name to the burgeoning list of enterprising Australians who have made their fortunes by offering partial car-washing facilities in convenient inner city road-side locations.

Review: No Long Term
Much political commentary is about the global marketplace and the use of new technologies as hallmarks of the new capitalism. Richard Sennett investigates another dimension of change: new ways of organising time, particularly working time.

» New Benchmark In Bank Greed

» Olympics Deal Sparks Soccer Ball Victory

» Two Day Strike Hits BHP Mines

» Leightons, SOCOG Tremble Before Haka

» Hilton Hotels Limp As Strike Bites

» Wran Lends Boffins A Hand

» ACTU Meets Joy

» Barracks Workers Put The Pinch On Local MP

» Olympic Win For Taxi Drivers

» Australian Unions Keep Spotlight on Fiji

» Staff Eye Telstra Prize

» Dice Loaded Against American Workers

» NZ Union Federations Heal Split

» Pressure Mounts On Nike To Live Olympic Ideal