We are writing to all BNZ tellers and CSR’s about the bank’s proposed changes to pre sales roles in branches.
As you will be aware the BNZ is proposing changes to its branches by creating a new role, Customer Services Consultant. The CSC role will eventually replace the existing Teller and CSR roles.
Finsec members are supporting the proposal to introduce the new role, but are seeking five specific changes to the current proposal to make the introduction of the new role better for bank staff, customers and, ultimately, the bank.
These changes are:
- CSR’s should not be required to become CSCs
- The role should have higher pay
- The targets for the role should be lowered
- A fair system of role distribution and training needs to be implemented
- A thorough review of the implementation of the role needs to take place after 6 months.
As either a Teller or CSR these changes directly impact on you and it is important that the bank hears your views.
When Westpac announced similar changes earlier this year it took on board a lot of Finsec members’ feedback and made changes accordingly. For example Westpac is not requiring its CSR equivalent role to move into the new position it has created.
Finsec members won changes to the proposal in Westpac that were fairer for staff and we believe better for customers and the bank. We want to do the same at BNZ and we need your help.
Finsec has made a submission to the bank on the proposed changes and requested to meet with the bank to discuss our proposed changes further. That meeting is taking place on Thursday. At that meeting we will be presenting the bank with a petition that demonstrates support for our changes. We need as many staff as possible to sign the petition so the bank see there is support for the changes we are proposing. If hardly any staff sign the petition then the message this sends is that people don’t care whether there are changes to the proposal or not.
We also ask that non members consider joining Finsec. The CSC proposal is not the only change going on in the BNZ at the moment. This year’s collective agreement negotiations with the bank could be the most significant in over a decade. Finsec will be seeking improvements to targets, staffing levels and pay. The bank has put forward (for consultation only and not negotiation at this stage) over 100 proposed changes to the collective agreement, many of which we think are worse than current provisions. To stop these changes the bank will either have to drop them now or we will need to defeat at the bargaining table. That means we need the support of the majority of BNZ workers. With all this change going on now is the time to join.
Yours sincerely,
Callum Francis and the BNZ Union Council
