The Finance Sector Union (FSU) has held CBA accountable at the Fair Work Commission, forcing the bank to reveal it misled staff and their union over jobs cuts and offshoring.
The CBA initially denied any direct replacement of jobs in Australia but were directed by the Commission to carry out a review which uncovered that two roles were infact being sent offshore.
The bank subsequently removed 30 online job ads for roles in India that had the same job titles as roles being cut here.
In June, CBA announced 283 job cuts across its technology and retail banking service teams, while simultaneously advertising a significant number of near-idential roles in India.
Employer numbers at CBA India have increased by 21 per cent – from 5,630 to 6,788 – last year, marking a massive 138 per cent increase since CBA first began reporting those numbers in 2022.
It was only through union action at the Commission that the bank is being forced to reveal its plans and be held accountable to workers and customers.
The Commission also recommended that CBA meet with the FSU to review its processes and to ensure greater accountability in the future, after a review uncovered inconsistencies between the bank’s public statements and its internal practices.
This is not the first time the union has forced CBA to back down. Earlier this year, the bank reversed plans to cut jobs due to AI after sustained pressure from union members.
Finance Sector Union National Secretary Julia Angrisano
“Without challenge, these jobs would have disappeared without scrutiny. We held CBA to account, forcing the to come clean, exposing what the bank was trying to hide.
“This is about accountability; Australia’s largest bank cannot quietly ship jobs offshore while telling staff and customers otherwise.
“CBA is making billions in profit while trying to cut jobs in Australia and expansing operations offshore. Our members deserve honesty, security and genuine accountability. Only by holding the bank accountable can we protect workers.
“The FSU is calling on CBA to stop any further offshoring and to guarantee transparency and accountability in all future restructures.”
Media contact: Kate Shuttleworth – 0447 418 726
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