ANZ Under Fire On Hold-Ups

The ANZ Bank is facing prosecution for refusing to upgrade security on a suburban Sydney branch that was subjected too four armed hold-ups in eight months.

The Finance Sector Union has bought the action against the ANZ for breaching the Occupational Health and Safety Act by refusing to secure a safe place of work for staff at its Peakhurst branch.

FSU NSW Branch Secretary Geoff Derrick said the bank had failed to act on the series of hold-ups between October 2002 and April 2003 - which involved staff being used as hostages.

Despite repeated requests for a risk assessment of the branch, the bank did not move to install any extra security until after the third hold-up in March 2003.

Mr Derrick said the staff involved in the hold-ups had been severely traumatised and one had yet to return to work.

"The handling of these hold-ups shows that ANZ is totally out of touch with its staff and the community," Mr Derrick.

"The Union will raise the ongoing failure to protect staff at next week's ANZ shareholder AGM in Brisbane, where FSU President and suburban branch manager Joy Buckland will be standing for the Board."

If found guilty, the ANZ faces fines of up to $600,000.

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Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:37 EST