Targets and performance objectives in CBA are well and truly under scrutiny after the issues were escalated by recent events including media comment, statements from senior bank leadership and frontline staff wearing orange wristbands to signify their commitment to change.
 
Curiously, it has been the orange wrist bands that have attracted most attention in the past week. While the response from management has been mixed, it is clear that some managers have over-reacted by referring to the rubber wrist bands as a type of industrial action.
 
The wrist bands serve the simple function of allowing staff to send a visual message to each other that they are supporting the push for change to CBA’s targets and performance regime. FSU has not asked members to raise the issue with customers but if you are wearing an orange wrist band and a customer asks what it is about; our advice is that you should simply say that it is a symbol of your support for putting customers’ interests ahead of anything that might conflict with those interests.
 
If you are asked to remove the wristband, talk to your FSU rep or the union office.
 
Latest developments

• A number of staff in Qld have now joined the campaign for change with initial dispute letters submitted to branch managers.


• Staff from additional areas beyond the 6 NSW retail areas have approached the union office to find out how they can get involved.


• It was revealed that approximately 30% of frontline staff in the Sydney region are currently not reaching targets.


• RBS Executive Ross McEwen has entered into the debate for the first time, a move welcomed by FSU members because Ross is seen as someone who can fix the problem.

• The frontline staff that started the ball rolling are in the process of endorsing a delegation to meet with the bank to seek changes to the targets and performance system.

 
Next steps
 
Members in each branch currently involved in the dispute should quickly complete local endorsement of the delegation to management. They should also complete the surveys that ask for details of the impact on individuals from the targets and performance regime. Finally, these members should continue to wear the orange wrist bands to signify a commitment to change.
 
Members in other workplaces interested in joining the move for change should talk to their workplace reps and arrange local meetings supported by the union office.