ANZ and finance union continue stoush

By Craig Phillips

THE ANZ Bank and the Finance Sector Union (FSU) have been ordered to present to a full bench of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC). This follows the bank’s appeal of an earlier ruling by the commission relating to a dispute over the union’s right of entry for its officers and officials as per the Workplace Relations Act 1996.

The ANZ recently lodged its appeal to AIRC senior deputy president Watson on the last day of a three-week period in which it was allowed to do so, with both parties now required to argue their case to a full bench of commissioners on July 19.

ANZ sought a stay order on the original decision by commissioner Smith pending the determination of the appeal, which was granted.

Commissioner Smith’s original ruling included the ANZ withdrawing its right of entry protocol and notifying all ANZ managers accordingly, that right of entry in relation to matters covered by the decision be restricted to two visits and that the parties meet and confer in regard to a right of entry protocol.

The order came into effect on May 20, however, FSU communications manager Rod Masson says even prior to the subsequent ruling by commissioner Watson in favour of the stay order, the union was denied access to ANZ offices in Western Australia and Victoria (offices in which the FSU suspects a breach of ANZ’s awards and agreements arrangements with its employees).

This dispute follows previous differences between the pair leading to a ruling in March by the AIRC in favour of ANZ over a two-year employee severance pay dispute in its joint venture arm, ING Australia.