Fed: Rural bank staff face future as seasonal fruitpickers FSU

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2000
Fed: Rural bank staff face future as seasonal fruitpickers FSU

CANBERRA, Aug 3 AAP - Forgotten bank staff in rural communities face a future as fruit
pickers, the Financial Sector Union (FSU) said today.

The union plans to press home its concern for their members left behind by bank closures
in country towns at a Senate committee hearing tomorrow.

FSU national secretary Tony Beck said the Financial Sector Legislation Amendment Bill,
to be reviewed by the committee, would make mergers easier than they were as a result
of undertakings given by the Commonwealth Bank during its recent acquisition of Colonial.

"The voluntary undertakings provided by the Commonwealth Bank saved only 60 branches
while a further 250 will be closed (eventually) and more than 2,500 employees will lose
their jobs," he said in a statement.

"In communities like Bourke (NSW) and Scottsdale (Tasmania), where unemployment rates
are higher than the national average, our members know this deal will cost jobs.

"In Scottsdale, our members say that once their jobs with Colonial are gone, their
only option for work will be seasonal fruit picking."

Mr Beck said the FSU would call on the committee to recommend inclusion of a public
interest impact assessment to ensure customers, communities and jobs were considered in
any future mergers.

AAP dep/hu

KEYWORD: BANKS

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.