Financial Services Union lashes super behemoth AMP for ‘draconian’ new contracts
The Financial Services Union has slammed a “draconian” new contract for workers at superannuation and investment management behemoth AMP that it claims contains “disturbing surveillance and medical privacy provisions”.
About 2000 AMP workers were handed the new agreements on Monday and given just one week to sign, according to the FSU.
The union alleges the contracts contain clauses that would allow the company to “carry out continuous video surveillance” of staff.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“AMP would be able to carry out ongoing and intrusive surveillance, even at employees’ homes, with only one day’s notice,” the FSU alleged.
An AMP spokesman said the group “is not and will not conduct camera surveillance on employees when they work from home”.
“AMP’s updated employee contracts were drafted and reviewed by an external law firm, who verified that all of the contract clauses align with common industry practice used by many other organisations, and comply with current legal requirements,” he said.
The FSU has come down hard on the new agreements and encouraged members not to sign, arguing AMP “refuses to bargain for a new enterprise agreement”.
“This is a draconian contract that features some very disturbing surveillance and medical privacy provisions,” FSU national assistant secretary Nicole McPherson said.
“It is shocking that any employer would propose the right to video monitor its workers in their own homes, force them to undergo a medical examination by the employer’s doctor of choice and give up their right to privacy of medical information.”
The union also claims the contracts feature a “total fixed package” provision that would exclude entitlements such as overtime, penalty rates, annual leave loading and superannuation.
The FSU has also pulled apart privacy clauses in the contract that it alleged would allow AMP to give away an employee’s personal information to a third party. It also contained a clause that an employee “may be required to be examined by a medical practitioner of AMP’s choice to determine their fitness for work,”, the FSU claimed.
“The FSU has written to AMP demanding the contracts be revised per the union’s feedback, or that AMP commence negotiations for an enterprise agreement that genuinely protects workers,” it said.
