
Issue No 73		13 October 2000

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News

Unions And Community Groups Call For Bank Social Charter

The Finance Sector Union, consumer and senior citizens groups are calling on the Federal Government to create a social charter for banks.

FSU National Assistant Secretary Peter Riordan says a social charter is necessary to create a balance between sustainable growth for banks, customer needs and employee rights.

'A social charter would include minimum service standards for customers, guaranteed access to banking facilities for all Australians and an ongoing monitoring of fees and charges,' he says.

The campaign by a growing broad based alliance of unions and community groups against the Commonwealth Bank intensified this week with lunchtime rallies around the country outside prominent branches.

In Melbourne over fifteen hundred Commonwealth Bank customers signed a petition in a couple of hours protesting the bank's declining service. Thousands of small shareholders have given their proxies to the FSU in advance of the bank's AGM later this month.

Meanwhile Commonwealth Bank management has agreed to recommence talks with the FSU with the aim of finalising a collective agreement for members.

The new and intensive timetable of EBA talks got underway this week, following a recent Federal Court injunction on CBA's offer of individual contracts to 22 000 staff and industrial action by thousands of FSU members.

"Now that the CBA isn't distracted by preparing individual contracts, we are hopeful that it will be more committed to negotiating in good faith and addressing member concerns about staff, pay and targets," Peter Riordan said.

Banks in the bad books

A study by the Financial and Consumer Rights Council found that anger over bank fees, branch closures and the impact of electronic banking has hit a record high. Feelings of distrust and exploitation were overwhelming, according to the report. Customers particularly expressed resentment toward rising fees and charges, especially previously free ATM, phone and internet charges. The complaints pointed to a lack of information about transaction fees and free transactions offered.

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Issue 73 contents

Interview: Righting The Wrongs
Improving the lives of Aboriginal people can't be taken out of the context of the economy, welfare and other areas says Bob McMullan, Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

Economics: At The Mercy Of Gamblers
The plunge of the Australian dollar relative to the greenback has consequences for Aussie workers according to Frank Stillwell.

History: Labour History Under Seige Again
The Friends of the Noel Butlin Archives Centre have recently been informed of proposed changes to the Noel Butlin Archives Centre (NBAC), changes that will cut staff by more than 50% and leave the Archives mothballed in the tunnel where the repository is situated.

Workplace: Fighting The Flexible Firm
We are told that hardship and exploitation at work is dying out, and the new economy offers opportunity, freedom and job satisfaction for all. Richard Sennett unveils the true nature of the flexible workplace.

Safety: Being bossed around is bad for your health
A survey of more than 3,000 Australian workers has revealed that some 54% of workers experience intimidating behaviour in their workplace. In almost 85% of cases it is employers, managers and supervisors who are identified as the culprits.

Unions: Discrimination
New to the union and the maritime industry and with only a few days casual work to live off, Stephen Rolls courageously spoke up against individual contracts during a job interview with Burnie Port Corp.

International: Serbian Workers and Their Unions Fight for Freedom
Serbian workers and their unions have been at the forefront of the struggle for democracy in Yugoslavia as they led a general strike in response to attempts by President Slobodan Milosevic to nullify the defeat he faced in the Sept. 24 election.

Satire: A few more years of civilised brutality will advantage Aborigines: Ruddock
CANBERRA, Tuesday: The Minister for Reconciliation Philip Ruddock has defended his comments to French newspaper Le Monde claiming that Aborigines were disadvantaged because they were late in coming into contact with developed civilisations.

Review: Poetry For Workers By Workers
Poems about the trials and tribulations of a waitress and what you learn in a chocolate factory are among the gems from the 925 anthology.

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» Unions And Community Groups Call For Bank Social Charter

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» 5 Day Strike Burns BHP Coal

» Parramatta Workers Enjoy Union Chill Out

» Report Finds Fatigue Fatalities Avoidable

» Queensland Peak Union Body Elects First Female Secretary

» The Joy of Burning Rubber

» dot.humanservices

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