PostBank jobs ‘not terminated’

Press, 12 September 1987, Page 3

PostBank jobs ‘not terminated’

PA Wellington A severance payment offered to Postßank staff was a voluntary option, with no question of jobs being terminated, said the bank’s chief executive, Mr Lindsay Pyne, yesterday.

He was reacting to comments by an Opposition spokesman, Mr Roger Maxwell, who said the bank’s move to lay off staff proved the Government’s assurances on jobs were a con.

Mr Pyne said the voluntary package was expected to affect no more than 100 people throughout New Zealand.

“It provides for people who do not fit or feel comfortable in the new competitive bank to leave the organisation with some dignity,” he said. .Overstaffing had led to the offer. Postßankhad

been, restructured, resulting in some mismatching of skills required and the people available.

“Natural attrition is likely to take care of the situation in most instances but there is a small number of individuals misplaced whom we thought would be more fairly treated through an appropriate severance package,” Mr Pyne said. The former PostmasterGeneral, Mr Jonathan Hunt, promised to safeguard Post Office jobs when the organisation was corporatised, Mr Maxwell had said.

“Now, many of those people who acted in good faith and joined Postßank will find their employment terminated.” Those workers would be justified if they felt conned, he said.