ANZ workers take strike action on Christmas Eve

Media Release: FIRST Union

Wednesday 24 December 2014

ANZ workers take strike action on Christmas Eve

ANZ workers from branches and contact centres around the country are on strike today in response to the bank’s refusal to bargain fairly, according to the bank workers’ union.

“They decided to take this action because they’re sick and tired of the bank’s approach to bargaining”, said FIRST Union organiser Tali Williams.

"Where is ANZ's Christmas spirit? Under ANZ’s current offer many staff don’t even get a pay rise. Yet a month ago we learnt that ANZ’s CEO David Hisco received an 11% payrise in 2014, taking his salary to $4.7 million and retaining his spot as the highest paid CEO in the country”, said Tali Williams.

“The workers are willing to accept some changes to their collective agreement around flexibility and penal rates, but they need fair compensation in exchange”, said Williams. “The bank can’t have it both ways.”

“They are asking for a 5% pay rise across-the-board. This is a drop in the bucket alongside the bank’s $1.7 billion profit last year.”

Williams said the strike is likely to have an impact. “The day before Christmas is traditionally a busy one for the bank as people rush to get their last minute shopping and preparation done."

"Customers who feel inconvenienced should contact the bank and tell them to get back to the bargaining table and give their workers a fair deal."

-Ends

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