FIRST Union celebrate Westpac’s agreement to pay Living Wage

FIRST Union, the union for finance sector workers, welcomes the announcement earlier today that Westpac Bank has agreed to sign on as a Living Wage accredited employer, which will result in contractors engaged by Westpac receiving the Living Wage.

FIRST Union National Organiser for Finance Stephen Parry says:

“Bank workers directly employed by Westpac have long enjoyed salaries that they can live on with dignity. These wages have been won through collective bargaining between union members and the Bank. Contractors such as cleaners and security staff, however, have not been able to enjoy the benefits of collective bargaining as they are not directly employed by the Bank. FIRST Union is very pleased that the Living Wage movement has achieved a significant wage increase for these workers.”

Mr Parry says that the move to Living Wage accreditation is commendable, and encourages other finance sector employers to do the same.

“It is unacceptable for any worker, in any industry whether directly employed or a contractor not be paid enough to live with security and dignity. All employers have a moral obligation to pay, at a minimum, a living wage to their employees, and there is no excuse for deep-pocked employers in the finance sector such as banks and insurance companies not to meet this minimum standard.”

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