Finsec Media Release

Thursday, April 15, 2004

Westpac wants to continue to tell workers to "Take it or leave it"

Westpac Bank, in its submission to the Select Committee on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill last week, admitted that it is complicit in undermining collective bargaining.

Westpac Bank said it 'has been our habit to pass on' the results of collective negotiation to non-union workers. Despite the provisions of the Employment Relations Act, which prohibits unfair bargaining for individual agreements, the bank wants to avoid the consequences of the strengthening of the Act.

Matthew Fitzsimons, National Organiser, said, "The issue of 'free-loading' is a sore point for members. Members at Westpac, where Finsec represents the bulk of workers, are aware that non-members get the benefit of their collective bargaining."

"The Bank's special pleading about the resource implications of actually negotiating with individuals is derisory and is not the only option," said Mr Fitzsimons.

"The Employment Relations Act allows the employer and union to come to an agreement to 'pass-on' the results of the collective bargaining process. Finsec members at Westpac will be waiting for the call from the Bank!"

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