'Mean' Westpac offers no pay rise - union

Westpac's refusal to offer staff a pay rise is "mean" and effectively a wage freeze, bank workers' union Finsec says.

But Westpac said any suggestion of a freeze was incorrect as negotiations were still continuing.

Finsec said four days of bargaining for a new collective agreement adjourned today with Westpac refusing to offer staff a pay rise.

The bank had had good profits but staff faced rising living costs, so the decision to offer no pay rise was "not because they're broke, it's because they are mean", Finsec campaigns director Andrew Campbell said.

Westpac spokesman Chris Mirams told NZPA the parties were still in negotiations and "any suggestion of a pay freeze is incorrect".

The bank was "focused on working constructively towards an agreement", he said.

- NZPA