I am pleased to release the FSU’s Annual Report for the previous financial year, and I want to thank all FSU members for their participation and support in 2009/10. Your union recovered over $11 million for members during the financial year, among the other things we do to organise, support and advocate for finance sector workers, and together we have been able to achieve Agreements right across the sector that provide certainty and improvements to pay and conditions.

It is this togetherness that makes unions strong and effective, and it is this notion of solidarity that I want to call upon now in this message to you.

One of our long-standing members Faye Boyle has been dismissed after 26 years with the Commonwealth Bank. This is no ordinary dismissal though, as you will see when you read Faye’s story.

After an accident on the way to work, that resulted in the loss of Faye’s right arm, Faye worked hard in her rehabilitation program so she could return to work at the bank. Even though on medical advice specific conditions were placed on her return to work, including not being subjected to having sales targets set, the bank expected Faye to reach her targets. When she had trouble doing so, she found herself out of a job.

Faye has commenced court action alleging discrimination in an attempt to get her job back. We have already received many messages of support for Faye from members in many workplaces. You can read Faye’s story, the messages of support, and add your own message here.

Please consider posting a message of support for Faye, and let her know that many of her finance sector colleagues are in her corner.