Bank strike postponed

Press, 24 December 1986, Page 1

Bank strike postponed

About 450 Trust Bank Canterbury staff in Christchurch voted by secret ballot yesterday to reject a recommendation that they strike yesterday and today in support of their wage claims. They voted instead to strike on December 29, 30, and 31 and to refrain from wearing their distinctive, red uniforms until their award is settled. Their decision means that they will finish work this evening and not return until January 5, but according to the manager of Trust Bank Canterbury at least 11 branches will be open during the strike.

There was no need for clients to panic today, he said. The Christchurch decision affects Trusteebanks in North Canterbury. The secretary of the Canterbury Clerical Workers’ Union, Mr Leon Morel, said that the staff at the meeting had felt strongly that they were a community bank and that although they believed in the justice of their claim for parity with trading

bank staff, who are in the Bank Officers’ Union and covered by a different award, they did not want to inconvenience customers before Christmas.

Management staff took to the tellers’ windows in Trust Bank Westland branches on the West Coast yesterday, after staff decided on two-day strike action. A series of stop-work meetings began in Hokitika. The 15 staff at the head office and the Hokitika branch “handed over their keys” at 9.40 a.m., according to the general manager, Mr Ken Beams. In Greymouth, after a meeting lasting more than an hour, staff at both the High Street and Mackay Street branches also stopped work. Mr Beams said that the branches- would remain open, but would be able to offer only limited services.

“It is unfortunate for customers at this time, but those with Cashflow cards are able to use the machines,” he said. Staff at Trust Bank

Timaru voted yesterday morning to strike yesterday and today. Nelson and Marlborough Trust Bank workers have decided not to take industrial action.

The union organiser in Nelson, Miss Jan Noonan, said that the 200 workers in the area had decided to remain at work but would review the situation early next year. The Trust Bank Wellington ton staff, in Wellington City, Hutt Valley, Porirua and Paraparaumu are on strike for two days. Trust Bank Wellington’s general manager, Mr Murray Jensen, said the bank would attempt to provide a full banking service during the strike depending on how many staff turned up for work. Mr Jensen said five branches closed earlier yesterday when staff attended a stop-work meeting. He said some staff did not go to yesterday’s meeting and after the meeting some staff had returned to work in spite of the vote for strike action. Trust Bank Well-

ington is using managerial staff on the counters and intends to keep automatic money machines topped up. The Social Welfare Department lodged direct credit payments early to avoid problems with industrial action, Mr Jensen said.

The secretary of the Clerical Workers’ Union, Ms Elizabeth Tennet, said. Wellington area workers would return to work between Christmas and New Year but would consider their position at a further meeting on January 5.

In Auckland all but two Trusteebank branches were open yesterday, either with full or limited staff on duty. The operations general manager, Mr Hugh Burrett, said about 80 of 1300 staff had failed to turn up to work. About 12 workers and union officials picketed the bank’s main branch in Wellesley Street.

Most Cashflow machines were working yesterday.