Media Release
Embargoed until Thursday, 4th November 2010
Staff to question management at Suncorp AGM over backflips to
proposed agreement
Media Opportunity:
What: FSU Spokesperson and Suncorp staff member to speak before AGM
Where: Reception, Sofitel 249 Turbot St, Brisbane
When: 1.30pm press conference, ahead of 2.30pm AGM commencement
Suncorp has backflipped on verbal and written agreements, making unilateral changes
to a proposed enterprise agreement and reneging on commitments to staff said the
Finance Sector Union today.
After the recent profit announcement of $780 million, Suncorp employees have a right
to know how management can justify a pay offer that doesn’t keep up with CPI and that
would deprive staff of work/life balance and entitlements.
FSU Queensland branch Lead Organiser Travis O’Brien said that Suncorp had reneged
on a written agreement with ex-GIO staff who would now be covered by the new
agreement; seriously diminishing personal leave, long service leave and superannuation
entitlements.
“Suncorp management need to answer the questions that these loyal employees are
asking, and the AGM presents the forum to raise these concerns and make shareholders
aware of them,” said Travis O’Brien.
“Considering Suncorp’s healthy profits thanks to the hard work of its loyal employees, it
is simply not good enough that their pay offer will not keep up with the cost of living
over the next four years.
“All 17,000 employees at Suncorp are at risk of losing valuable weekend penalties and
loadings, and a restriction on flexibility.
“Suncorp has engaged in bad faith negotiation tactics by unilaterally terminating
negotiations and then making changes to the agreement without first consulting the
union, and in direct contradiction of terms that had previously been agreed.
“The FSU is committed to upholding our members’ valid concerns about Suncorp’s
behaviour and the miserly offer that disadvantages employees. We hope to continue
negotiations and resolve the matter in a way that recognises staff entitlements in full,”
said Mr O’Brien.
The FSU has lodged an application with Fair Work Australia over the matter, and the
union is awaiting details of a hearing.
ENDS
Media contact: Travis O’Brien, 0434 165 696.
NEWS 
