Comment: Women banking leaders take to the streets of Melbourne

One lively and self-driven slice of Australia's finance scene is the awakening, in a way, of the Finance Sector Union.

In 2014, Fiona Jordan stormed a male fortress abetted by what must surely have been a predominantly female activist base.

Jordan was elected national secretary of the union in July last year, defeating Leon Carter, who had held the position since 2007.

Jordan has been a member of the FSU for more than 18 years. Before taking up the national secretary's role she was the union's president and a home finance manager at Westpac.

Leon Carter had an OK record and claims to a further tour of duty, but a wave of women's activism swept him out.

Jordan also told a story of finance strife and questionable decision-making, a position hard to acquaint with the facts. However, she won.

Routine pay claims are ticking over, and now, with many unions and communities, Jordan will find herself with a crowd today and some of her mob.

Unions have called the National Day of Action to protect penalty rates and employment rights. It could be an organic and promising bubble of fresh thinking in a stale sector.