Westpac workers have endorsed with 90 per cent approval a Finance Sector Union negotiated deal for a collective agreement covering 26,000 of the banks’ employees, the first in a decade.

National Secretary Leon Carter said that the collective agreement was only possible with the removal of WorkChoices and the increased freedom to collectively bargain.

“The FSU is pleased that an agreement has been reached which will provide Westpac, some St George and Bank SA, BT and Asgard employees greater security around wages and conditions, and flexibilities around extended hours and weekend work and some important superannuation benefits around paid parental leave.

“Because Westpac covers such a range of financial providers, a collective agreement allows consistency and increased security for members across the board,” said Mr Carter.

 “We look forward to representing the interests of our members as best we can across the banking sector, to ensure that employees are recognised appropriately for their contribution both to the brand and overall success of the bank at which they work.

“Providing certainty of wages and conditions and responding to their employees’ demand for a collective agreement puts Westpac, as an employer, at a much more desirable level than some of its major competitors,” said Mr Carter
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Spokesperson: Leon Carter, National Secretary, 0409 946 597
Media: Anaya Latter, 0432 121 636