Good news for workers

Westpac jobs saved

Mr Schroder said the campaign the workers waged to save their jobs had helped shift the public debate around off-shoring of white collar jobs.

"This is a victory for workers, communities and customers across Australia who stood up for workers' rights and have saved jobs and sensitive data from being sent off shore," Mr Schroder said.

Mr Schroder said Westpac should now reject the off-shoring model of cutting wages and conditions in all its operations and reap the reputation benefits of investing in Australian jobs and skills.

"Westpac's decision to invest in Australian jobs and protect the privacy of their customers will prove good for their business, their workers and their customers.

"The fact that they have listened to their staff and customers and rejected off-shoring this work clearly distinguishes Westpac from their competitors. ANZ, NAB and St George are now running a dangerous gauntlet by pursuing what is clearly an unsound business model."

Mr Schroder said Finance Sector Union members would continue to build pressure on these banks during the up-coming round of annual general meetings.

Redundancy rights win

A receiver for carpet company Feltex Australia had gone to the AIRC seeking exemption from paying redundancy pay. Feltex Australia was recently placed into receivership, but through Godfrey Hirst's subsidiary company (the similarly named Feltex Carpets), Godfrey Hirst is buying Feltex Australia.

The Textile, Clothing Footwear Union of Australia (Victorian branch) said the AWAs offered by Godfrey Hirst reduced a host of entitlements including redundancy, maternity leave and annual leave, as well as giving the employer greater power to stand workers down and unilaterally change their duties.

AIRC Senior Deputy President Ian Watson said: "I am not satisfied that the employment offered in the AWAs... constitutes acceptable alternative employment."

The workers can continue to be covered by their collective union agreement, which doesn't expire until mid-2007.

In a separate case, the TCFUA has alleged Godfrey Hirst and its subsidiary Feltex Carpets has breached freedom of association by offered workers AWAs while there was a current collective agreement. The case will be heard in the Federal Court December 18 to 21.

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Last Modified: 07 Dec 2006