Bank dumps new mum

A phone call from Westpac Bank, eight days after the birth of 
baby son Hayden, tempered the Vandine family's joy over their new 
arrival. The bank, boasting a 2003 profit of $2.1 billion, told 
branch manager Linda Vandine her job-share position would not be 
available on her return from maternity leave.

"It was really charming", said Ms Vandine. "We don't know what we 
are going to do, do we? They told me they would negotiate 
something when I get back in August, in the meantime we are in 
limbo.

"It was a huge shock. If I wasn't having a baby I would still 
have my job. I really feel victimised and hurt."

On February 3, the Finance Sector Union (FSU) took Linda's case 
before the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC). The IRC 
told the parties to talk through the issues and report back in 
March. To this point, Westpac has not settled a date for further 
negotiations.

FSU national industrial officer, Andrea Mears, said she remained 
hopeful of a satisfactory outcome.

"Linda wants to go back to the position she earned through 15 
years of loyal service. Isn't that what maternity leave 
provisions are supposed to be all about?"

Linda's job-share partner has, meanwhile, been moved to a 
different position within the organisation.

Linda said it was the uncertainty her family was finding 
difficult. Previous experience suggested she might be moved to a 
relieving position. But the sheer size of the Westpac region she 
was employed in could lead to practical difficulties.

She said the matter should have been sorted before she went on 
maternity leave, rather than the bank raising its problems a week 
after she gave birth.

"I understand they (Westpac) run a business and I am prepared to 
negotiate just about anything that doesn't disadvantage my 
children. It's just not knowing that is making it really 
difficult for us at the moment."