Some movement on BNZ offer, ratification vote starts next week

Finsec members at BNZ will vote on a new BNZ offer, following a further day of collective agreement negotiations this week. The bargaining team say the offer has good movement from the bank in some areas, and little movement in other areas.

Changes include a small increase to the pay offer, now 2.75% for each of the two years of the agreement. BNZ has withdrawn some claims to overtime and to make sick leave and union access comply with legal minimums. They also agreed to Sunday opening hours being limited till 7pm, and to make the move to grade L for call centre optional for existing staff.

Ratification meetings for members to have their say on the offer will run from 27 September – 7 October.

New date set down for bargaining with BNZ

Finsec  members have a new date to resume bargaining with BNZ – 21 September. Bargaining was adjourned as progress on pay and other issues did not meet the mandate set by members.

Many Finsec members have already held meetings to discuss the issues arising from bargaining and identify what was most important to them heading back to the bargaining table. These meetings continue next week.

Most importantly, Finsec members have been completing collective activities to send a strong message of support for our bargaining team. If you haven’t filled yours out, get on to it and fax it back to Finsec on 04 385 2214 by Friday 16th September. .

Bargaining with BNZ adjourned

Bargaining with BNZ was adjourned last week, as the Finsec team wanted to go back to members to seek feedback. The outcomes of bargaining so far fall short of the mandate set by members.

Union Councillor Tania Cooper said the offer fell short on two areas: the pay, and the bank still pushing to reduce current terms and conditions of staff. “With regards to pay the BNZ is currently not even willing to meet CPI – let alone keeping up with what some other banks are offering.”

Tania said there had been movement on some of the bank’s series of claims, but that the balance was still in favour of the bank’s operations and shareholders, and against staff. “If this is the bank for New Zealand, that includes staff. Staff want the bank to show some flexibility to meeting our needs not just their own.”

Some non-members at the bank didn’t sign up to Finsec in the lead up to bargaining because they didn’t believe BNZ would seriously pursue these changes. Last week’s negotiations show they are serious. Those who oppose the bank’s proposed changes need to join to support the Finsec campaign. Finsec members were able to stop reductions in their terms and conditions in 2009 and can do it again.

Finsec members at BNZ will be holding meetings over the next few weeks to discuss bargaining and our next steps.

BNZ’s plan to remove staff rights

The BNZ have put forward a series of claims for bargaining that Finsec representatives say would seriously diminish the work rights of every staff member at the bank. Finsec Union Council Chair Callum Francis described the claims as aggressive, and that they seriously tilt the playing field in favour of management.

The bank’s claims include:
No restrictions on opening hours
No minimum shift span in the contact centre
Requiring staff to provide a medical certificate on the first day
of sickness
Make it harder for members to access your union
The power to alter your start/finish times by two hours without your agreement on a temporary basis
The power to send you to another workplace at any time without your agreement

Callum said that the bank can already do many of the things contained in their claims, but that they are currently required to consult with affected staff. “BNZ’s claims turn a conversation about your hours and place of work into a demand. They show no consideration for work-life balance, despite their previous position that this is a priority.”

Callum says it is essential that Finsec members at every BNZ store hold pre-negotiations meetings, which run over the next two weeks, to formulate a plan to ensure that staff retain the right to say no to unreasonable demands.  Back office and call centre meetings will be run by Finsec organisers.

ANZ National CEA Review next week

The review of the ANZ National Collective Employment Agreement takes place next week, and Finsec members are going to use the opportunity to ensure that staff have a fair say in the future of the National Bank.

ANZ National staff are also sending a petition to ANZ CEO David Hisco asking that staff are consulted with about any change to the structure of the bank, that protecting jobs be a top priority (and staffing levels not be reduced) and that the bank ensure that customers’ concerns are responded to and met.

If you agree – sign the paper petition that has been circulated, or you can distribute the online version and sign electronically. You can click on this link http://tiny.cc/finsec_petition
or you can go to http://www.finsec.org.nz and click through to “Where I Work” ANZ National.

Bargaining newsflash

Of course its not just Finsec members in the big banks in bargaining this year – throughout the insurance and finance industry, Finsec members are working to improve their pay and conditions through collective bargaining.

So, here’s some of what else we’re up to:

·       Finsec members at Vero last week voted to ratify an offer including an average pay increase of 3%

·       Finsec members at Asteron participated in collective bargaining last week – a report back to come tomorrow

·       Finsec members at Sovereign enter negotiations tomorrow.

At Heartland Building Society (the merger between Marac, Southern Cross Building Society and CBS Canterbury), members will be having an indicative vote this year to determine members’ response to bargaining outcomes.

Hey, BNZers!

BNZers, your detailed claims for bargaining will be released this week – keep an eye out.

While you’re waiting for those, you can take a few minutes to complete the survey for the targets forum coming up soon. The survey has been sent to all members, or you can download it here http://www.finsec.org.nz/Have+your+say+on+targets+at+BNZ

There will also be a report back on results of the last forum released shortly.

Two things you can do to have your say in future of National Bank

Finsec members have launched a short, snappy campaign plan to increase the influence staff have over the future of the National Bank, through the review of the Collective Agreement (happening in mid July).

It involves two simple steps to ensure that as many staff as possible get information and protection through our union during the change process – and that we all get a say!

So what are the two actions for change?

1.    Finsec members talking to non-members about our campaign (and for non-members joining our union before bargaining occurs!)
2.    Signing our petition (online or on paper) to ANZ New Zealand CEO asking that staff have a say. Go here: http://tiny.cc/finsec_petition or go to http://www.finsec.org.nz and click through to Where I Work – ANZ National

Easy peasy! Packs have been sent out to all ANZ National worksites with campaign resources. Delegate run claims meetings finish next week, and all organiser-run back office and call centre meetings will be held next week also.

Staff want a say in future of National Bank

Finsec members at ANZ National are looking at making consultation with staff and protecting jobs a central issue in the mid-year review of the Collective Employment Agreement. The proposed claims are a response to staff concerns about the future of the National Bank, and the bank’s plans to close the brand.

ANZ National Union Councillor Nola Macken said the changes were a huge concern for staff. “With ANZ staff training and us moving on to one system, we’re all aware that the re-branding is getting closer and closer. All staff are wondering about our job security, but especially non-members who don’t have the pro-active approach we do with the bank.”

Nola said that this was a good time to talk to non-members about the way that Finsec is addressing the impact of the change in our Collective Agreement. “We want our concerns addressed before the re-branding process occurs, to give us greater security.”

The proposed claims focus on protecting jobs and ensuring that there are meaningful consultation processes in place for any organisational change.

ANZ National members are discussing the claims in union meetings that run until 8 July. And BNZers, your claims development meetings run until 1 July.

PSIS staff ratify 16 month term

Finsec members at PSIS have voted to accept an offer for a 16 month term. 90% of members participated in the ratification vote, 70% of whom voted to accept the offer.

The final deal includes a pay rise of 2.5% from April 2011, a further 1.5% from April 2012, and a one off payment of $200 to recognise the longer term.

Well done to all Finsec delegates and members who took part in our campaign, and who convinced PSIS to improve on their original offer.