News And Moves
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday October 11, 2003
Work-life on IAG agenda
Work-life balance will come under the spotlight at Insurance Australia Group if a proposal to establish a joint taskforce of management and union representatives is approved.
The taskforce, one of a series of measures to be voted on shortly by Finance Sector Union (FSU) members, will examine issues such as working hours, flexible working and overtime at IAG.
The agreement will also protect the 35-hour working week for all employees within the organisation, including former NRMA staff members.
Tony Beck , the national secretary of the FSU , says the agreement would ensure full-time staff would not be forced to work 37.5 hours a week.
``Specifically, staff who currently work 35 hours won't be forced to change."
It will also ensure mutual agreement for changing part-time hours is maintained and for protection of days off for all employees.
More jobs in banking
Employment in the banking and insurance sector has shifted in the past year, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The latest Labourforce data shows 340,800 people were employed in the banking and insurance industry in the August 2003 quarter.
This is slightly lower than the same period last year when employee numbers reached 342,300.
However, the composition of jobs in the industry has shifted in the past year, with 183,300 employed in banking, compared with 166,300 in August 2002.
Jobs in insurance fell from 75,500 to 64,000 in the 12-month period.
The remaining jobs were located in services to finance and insurance.
Customers first at Commonwealth
Commonwealth Bank employees are being consulted over how best to respond to the bank's customer service vision, which includes 3700 job cuts.
Rod Masson , a spokesman for the FSU, says it is holding a series of meetings with union members across Australia to determine its response.
Send news and moves to clong@access.fairfax.com.au
© 2003 Sydney Morning Herald
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