FED: Cash shortage in three states

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2001
FED: Cash shortage in three states

By Natalie Davison, Industrial correspondent

SYDNEY, Aug 17 AAP - Cash machines in three states could run dry over the weekend as
armoured security workers strike over job security and safety.

More than 2,000 cash collection workers in NSW went on strike for 24 hours today over
concerns about an increase in armed hold-ups and a demand for minimum safety standards
in the industry.

In Victoria, 400 workers voted to strike for three days, placing pressure on automatic
teller machines (ATM) at weekend sporting events and other venues.

In Queensland, 150 staff at Armaguard called a snap strike over job losses, with The
Ekka - the Brisbane show - expected to be hardest hit by cash shortages.

Banks have, however, assured customers they have contingency plans in place to deal
with cash supplies to most ATMs.

But consumers have been urged to use EFTPOS transactions where possible, as these will
not be affected by the industrial action.

Transport Workers Union (TWU) Victorian secretary Bill Noonan said the action came
in the wake of the biggest upheaval of the security industry in recent history.

Cash transit company Armaguard said the shift in the way the business was run occurred
earlier this year when three of Australia's biggest banks, Westpac, the Commonwealth and
the ANZ, formed a subsidiary company, Cash Services Australia, to broker out their cash
security business in Victoria, NSW and Queensland.

While security companies in the past had tendered for contracts individually, banks
were now tendering out on a region-by-region basis.

The TWU said the changes meant competition was tight and tenders were cut-throat.

The changes have also raised concern about safety in the industry and a reduction in
the number of guards in armoured crews.

In NSW, the TWU has been campaigning since 1995 for a legislated minimum safety standard
in the armoured industry, following the fatal shooting of a member.

After a case in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission today, the union had a partial
win for a set of safety standards, with the commission finding there were legitimate safety
concerns in the industry.

The IRC has now set a conference next Wednesday between WorkCover, the state government,
unions and employers to establish a minimum safety standard in the cash transit industry.

Meanwhile, the joint industrial action is expected to result in many ATMs running dry
and sporting and other venues suffering cash problems.

A spokeswoman from Westpac said there could be some problems with stand-alone ATM's
over the weekend.

But she said staff would stock ATMs connected to bank branches this afternoon as usual.

A Commonwealth Bank spokesman said the bank expected minimal disruptions if the strike
was limited to this weekend, with isolated ATM's the first to be affected.

An ANZ spokesman said there would be no problems in Victoria as Armaguard was not the
major carrier, but there could be cash distribution problems in NSW.

The action was not an issue for the National Australia Bank.

AAP nd/jjs/was/de

KEYWORD: ARMOURED NIGHTLEAD

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.