The campaign to save BankSA and St George from being taken over by Westpac is gaining momentum.

With thousands of jobs at risk, the threat of losing conditions and the likely negative impact on consumer choice a broad range of community members have joined the Save BankSA and St George campaign, including staff, customers and shareholder activists.

Save BankSA website – check it out   

The Save BankSA campaign website is now live. Visit www.savebanksa.org.au to access the latest news, campaign tools, and useful links, such as the Facebook page "If we wanted to work for Westpac We Would Have!"

Save the BankSA EA - Sign the Petition   

Many staff have expressed concern upon realising that the St George/BankSA Enterprise Agreement could be gone in 12 months if the takeover goes ahead, especially as St George/BankSA have an Enterprise Agreement providing superior conditions than those on offer at Westpac. For a summary of the differences check out the Save Bank SA campaign kit.  

The best way to save the St George/BankSA EA is to Stop the Takeover. Attached is a copy of the Stop the Takeover petition to the Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan. The Treasurer’s approval is required for the takeover to go ahead. Let him know what you think, download the petition and ask your colleagues, friends and family to sign it.

Competition watchdog wants to know what Customers think.   

The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) is currently assessing the impact that the proposed Westpac takeover of St.George/Bank SA will have on competition and consumers. 

In a new initiative, they have asked customers to fill in a survey about their banking habits and views on the takeover.

FSU is concerned that the proposed takeover will:

• Reduce competition (particularly in NSW and SA), which in turn will lead to increased fees and interest rates; 
• Reduce service standards – because customers will have fewer choices about where they can “switch” to; 
• Reduce branch numbers; and 
• Cost jobs and working conditions for staff; and 
• Compound problems associated with understaffing and unreasonable targets.

Please take 5 minutes to complete the ACCC survey:

Individuals CLICK HERE

FSU meets with Paul Fegan  

FSU Reps met with St George CEO, Paul Fegan recently to tell him face to face that members don’t agree with the takeover and are fearful of the impact it would have on jobs and conditions of staff.

Mr. Fegan said that the Business Model for the proposed merged entity had not been decided and that would only be looked at if the ACCC and the Treasurer, Wayne Swan give their consent.  He agreed to meet again with FSU Reps as the process evolves.

Campaigning to Win   

FSU Reps are busy making representations to relevant Members of Parliament and meetings with each of the State Premiers, relevant Federal Ministers and Senators are also taking place.

The Save St George/BankSA group are gathering thousands of signatures for the Stop the Takeover petition .

Get involved

• Help us lobby the Federal Government and build community opposition to the takeover.
• Download the Save BankSA Campaign Kit and talk to your colleagues about the campaign. 
• Print out the Stop the Takeover petition and ask your colleagues and friends to sign it.