Westpac stop-work meetings

Issue 

By Amy Phillips SYDNEY — Westpac workers staged stop-work meetings on February 15 in protest at the bank's refusal to meet the Finance Sector Union's wage claim of 12% over 18 months. These actions launched a national campaign of rolling stoppages. Industrial action was taken by Commonwealth Bank workers a week earlier. ANZ employees may follow as the ANZ Bank has announced an offer of 8% over two years, despite the union's demand for 16%. While bank employees have borne the brunt of restructuring and wage restraint, the major banks have made record billion dollar profits over the last few years. Westpac recently announced a 25% increase in directors' fees, and a share option of 600,000 shares to one director — the value of which is estimated at $3.67 million.

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