Latest news

Yesterday, Infosys informed us they would:

• amend the proposed Technology contracts (with changes to five areas)
• reissue the contracts on Tuesday 9 June
• extend the time to respond until COB Friday 12 June.

These changes are welcome and the extension will enable employees to continue pressing Infosys to address outstanding concerns or queries.

Importantly, the improvements are a result of employees working collectively with the FSU to demand changes.

They also came ahead of our Fair Work Commission (FWC) hearing yesterday, where the FSU applied to have Infosys participate in the process given Bendigo Bank has evaded all responsibility and sought to have the matter dismissed. We await the FWC’s decision on this.

Once these amended contracts are provided, the FSU will further examine the terms and conditions and continue advocating for any changes or improvements.

Infosys contracts – our advice

The FSU has engaged external lawyers to examine Bendigo Bank’s decision to transfer Tech workers’ employment to Infosys. This includes potential legal avenues to challenge the transfer of business, and to determine whether the roles (and terms and conditions) are substantially similar, or could be considered no less favourable, to employees overall.

If you decide not to accept the Infosys offer of employment, there are no guarantees you will be redeployed into another role at Bendigo Bank or be entitled to a redundancy payment. Whether you are entitled to a redundancy payment would be decided by the FWC.

This approach is not without risk. Based on the advice we have received, it is likely that the FWC would consider this to be suitable alternative employment. It is entirely possible that you could end up with no job and no redundancy payment at the end of the process.

Nevertheless, if you do not want to accept the offer of employment with Infosys and would like the FSU to fight for a redundancy payment for you,then let us know – we remain committed to the fight but cannot guarantee the outcome.

The FSU is on your side

Unfortunately, Bendigo Bank and Infosys have been able to do this because the Fair Work Act allows it.

From the beginning, the FSU has expressed significant concern about Bendigo Bank’s decision to transfer Tech workers’ employment to Infosys. 

Despite Bendigo Bank making claims to care for their employees, they’ve refused to take any responsibility for deficiencies in the transfer process or the contracts. Instead, they’ve poured money into lawyers to argue against our union’s ability to raise disputes on behalf of workers.

Demand Bendigo does better

We hope for others this provides some insight into the actions (or lack thereof) Bendigo Bank is taking – it appears that their 2030 strategic goals will be achieved at the expense of workers.

We also know that ‘blueprinting’ is taking place in other areas of the bank. It is only a matter of time before more jobs are impacted at Bendigo Bank.

We must demand a fairer and decent approach from Bendigo Bank – one that protects our job security and gives us choice if we are impacted by change.

Bendigo Bank has demonstrated they have no interest in looking after their employees. The best protection for you and your colleagues is to be a member of the FSU.