90% vote in Support

A ballot for the new Westpac Group Enterprise Agreement has concluded. Over 16,000 employees voted in the ballot, with 90% voting YES.

This is a great result and a tribute to the enormous contribution made by Reps and members who worked together to achieve improvements to pay and conditions.

The new Agreement includes:

• Annual Pay increases of 4% (Effective rated) and 2% (Needs Development rated) for most employees - superior to the other major banks.
• Commitment to a 4% annual pool for packaged employees' pay increases.
• Improved safeguards on Performance Objectives.
• 13 weeks paid parental leave (including Superannuation) in addition to the Federal Government's new scheme.
• Better protections for employees ceasing weekend or night work.
• Access to an independent umpire for resolving difficult workplace disputes.
• Top Up payments covering the life of the Agreement for employees impacted by changes to weekend and evening loadings.

Next Steps

The Agreement will be presented to Fair Work Australia next week for formal approval.

If approved by Fair Work Australia the first 2% pay increase for all Westpac O, A and unpackaged M employees will be paid in the first pay period after approval.

The new Agreement will not officially commence until the 24 September 2010.

The FSU is preparing a series of Fact Sheets on the key elements of the new Westpac Agreement. These will be available from your FSU Organiser or the FSU website www.fsunion.org.au when the Agreement is formally approved by Fair Work Australia.

More Information?

If you need any more details about the new Westpac Agreement go to the FSU website or contact the Member Rights Centre on 1300 366 378.