Media releases

The Finance Sector Union (FSU) says Mr Matos’ decision to axe 3,500 jobs will equate to $800 million in so-called “savings.” 

These “savings” come at the devastating cost of workers and their families losing their livelihoods. 

In his investor day address, Nuno Matos promised a culture of “clarity” and “accountability”, words the FSU says ring hollow for thousands of workers left in the dark, blindsided by job cuts announcements through the media. 

Nuno also promised a “radically simpler” bank with “one team, one brand, one technology system”, again demonstrating that ANZ’s plans to “simplify” the bank’s operations is about putting profits over people. 

ANZ has refused to provide clarity about which roles are being cut, prompting the FSU to take the matter to the Fair Work Commission. 

Following a conciliation hearing yesterday, the FSU and ANZ remain in active dispute over the bank’s failure to properly consult with workers on its plan to slash 3,500 jobs. 

ANZ continues to claim it is complying with its obligations despite leaving thousands of employees anxious and uncertain about their future. 

The FSU is demanding that ANZ provide detailed information about the ongoing review of job cuts including a timeline for when decisions will be made and the full scope of roles and areas under review. 

At the rally today outside ANZ headquarters in Melbourne at midday FSU members will call for no forced redundancies and genuine consultation before any roles are changed, and for ANZ to come clean on the job cuts. 

Finance Sector Union National President Wendy Streets said: 

“Nuno told investors the bank was entering a new era of clarity and accountability. 

Today, workers stand outside the bank because they’ve been met with chaos and secrecy instead. 

“Workers found out their jobs were gone through news alerts on their phones – not through honest consultation from management. That’s far from accountability, it’s betrayal. 

“ANZ is continuing its chaos and calling it strategy. Workers are told to hand back their laptops before being made aware they didn’t have a job and later warned they may be surveiled at work. There’s no respect, no honesty and no accountability.

“This is one of the most profitable banks in the world, yet it’s cutting thousands of jobs. You can’t build a simpler or stronger bank by destroying livelihoods. 

“If ANZ wants to talk about accountability, it can start with telling workers the truth.”

Media contact: Kate Shuttleworth – 0447 418 726 or [email protected]