PSIS and Finsec meet to discuss staffing levels

Finsec representatives met with Murray Anderson and Sam Ros from PSIS to discuss staffing levels as part of a review process Finsec members won in bargaining earlier this year.
Finsec representatives made it clear that the current methodology used to determine staffing levels is not working, given the number of sites experiencing understaffing.
They also told PSIS it needs a more accurate understanding of staff roles, recommended broadening timing and proposed a time and motion study.
PSIS is looking at all of these suggestions as part of the process. Finsec members will have the opportunity to participate as PSIS Regional Managers present a proposed staffing model to branches from May to August.

PSIS members win 3.5% and movement on key issues for

Finsec members at the PSIS have won a 3.5% pay increase, and the commitment for ongoing work on other key issues for staff including relief cover.

85% of Finsec members at PSIS participated in the ratification vote. Of those that voted, 96% voted to accept the proposed offer and 4% voted to reject

3.5% wage increase won at PSIS

Collective employment agreement negotiations between PSIS and Finsec this week have resulted in a proposed settlement that the Finsec Union Council sees as making progress on members’ key claims.

Key aspects of the proposed settlement are:
•    3.5% pay increase
•    A 1 year term
•    An increase in the days of sick leave that can be used as domestic leave from 5 to 7
•    An agreement to immediately review staffing levels (including staff input) in the three branches most under stress – before the end of April.
•    An agreement to review all staffing levels between May and July, in consultation with Finsec delegates and resulting in a branch by branch relief coverage plan
•    An agreement to seek input from Finsec and staff on the current staffing model
•    An agreement to enter into dialogue through the Partnership Resource Centre over PSIS / Finsec relationship and union rights issues
•    An agreement to undertake discussions with Finsec utilising a third party to further consider ‘fair pay for comparable work’

Finsec delegates will be meeting by teleconference next Wednesday 18 March to discuss the proposed settlement and the process for the ratification vote.

PSIS negotiations start next week

Collective agreement negotiations between Finsec and the PSIS begin next week, and negotiating team member Roz Cull from the Invercargill branch says that she is concerned that the PSIS have not put any claims forward.

“While taking into account the current economic climate, we must also consider the need we have for the pay parity issue to be recognised given that we keep falling behind staff doing similar jobs to us in the banks.”

Roz said that the Finsec claims reflected current economic conditions, and that a reasonable outcome needed to ensure that any pain from the recession was shared between staff and the PSIS, rather than being borne by staff alone.

Finsec members at PSIS are reminded to fax back their claims prioritisation forms and letter asking for a fair deal to Finsec by 5 pm today, Friday 6 March.

PSIS tries to water down expectation for negotiations

Finsec and PSIS have swapped claims for our negotiations this week, with the PSIS not putting forward any claims at all, citing the economy.

PSIS delegates who attended a conference call this week said that while times are difficult at the moment, union members claims are reasonable and take into account that workers are struggling too.

Finsec is calling on all companies in our industry to make the best offer possible to take the hard edges off the recession to improve the ability of workers to weather the storm too.

Finsec’s claims based on member feedback and are as follows:
•    4.5% percentage increase to pay & allowances
•    A process to move to pay parity over time
•    A one off payment for union members only
•    5 weeks annual leave after 6 years service
•    Separate domestic leave entitlement
•    Discussion on relief cover
•    Union rights clause
•    1 year term

Campaign for pay parity for PSIS staff gathering momentum

Finsec members from PSIS are currently holding meetings to discuss priorities for negotiations this year, including parity with staff working in the banks.  Finsec Union Councillor Paula Howells from Lower Hutt has already attended her branch meeting and described the mood as very positive.

“We are determined to build membership so we have the numbers behind us to really push for pay parity. We’ve had a good response so far, with PSIS staff around the country joining Finsec to strengthen our union and help us achieve our goals.”

Paula encouraged all members at PSIS to get along to their meeting. “Participating in this process is essential to our success in this campaign.”

One of these things is not like the others…

As the old Sesame St song goes, one of these things is not like the others. And the odd one out in terms of pay is PSIS, which lags well behind the banking industry – for example, between 9 and 20% less than comparable roles at ANZ National Bank.

In previous years, PSIS members have pushed for greater pay parity with their colleagues working in the banks. While good pay increases have been achieved, pay parity looks set to be a key priority for 2009.

Finsec members at PSIS will start off a big year of negotiations (BNZ, Westpac, ANZ National all to follow) with on-site meetings in the last two weeks of January to discuss the most important issues they want addressed as part of their collective employment agreement. Finsec members can check the date of their meeting here:
http://www.finsec.org.nz/PSIS/PSIS%20Claims%20Meeting%20Schedule%20Jan%2009.pdf

Staff will also be signing a collective letter to the PSIS board, asking for parity with similar jobs in the banks and seeking an agreement between PSIS and Finsec on how we can work together in future.

BNZ staff say yes, PSIS agree!

Two variations to Finsec collective agreements have been supported by Finsec members at BNZ and PSIS this week.

PSIS staff voted almost unanimously in favour of a move to bring Team Leaders into coverage of their collective agreement. 78% of BNZ members voting supported an option for flexible working arrangements in the form of a 9 day fortnight.

Have yourself a merry little variation vote

Finsec members at PSIS and BNZ have begun voting on variations to their collective agreements. The PSIS vote is on whether Team Leaders should be covered by the Collective Agreement, and BNZ staff are voting on a new system of flexible working hours.

The Gossip received a message from the North Pole this week, confirming that Finsec members who don’t vote in these variation votes will be transferred to the “naughty” list, and may be in danger of not receiving the traditional rewards of socks and lavender bubble bath come 25 December. Details on the votes can be found on the Finsec website, www.finsec.org.nz

In other voting news, Credit Union South members have overwhelmingly voted to ratify their collective agreement. 96% of members voted to accept. The new agreement will be sent to branches shortly.

Finsec wins collective coverage for PSIS Team Leaders

Finsec members at PSIS are currently voting on a small but significant victory, the right for team leaders to be covered by our collective employment agreement. This was a claim in this year’s negotiations which has now been accepted by PSIS.

Sharron Callaghan, one of two Team Leaders as PSIS Wanganui, describes the move as tremendous. “It’s been a long time coming and it’s a win-win situation. Winning coverage changes the way I feel about PSIS and Finsec. I was feeling quite isolated and left out – so it’s great that we are all together and covered.”

“We took on the challenge of winning coverage not just for existing Team Leaders but for all future staff as well,” said Sharron. “This win shows that if you’re a Finsec member we can achieve change and win and that’s why we need those who are not members to come on board and join over the coming months as we approach negotiations.”

The vote on the variation to the collective agreement closes on 17 December. A pack has been sent to delegates to run these meeting and is available here on the Finsec website:
http://www.finsec.org.nz/PSIS/PSIS%20variation%20meeting%20pack.pdf