SIPTU has served strike notice on ACC Bank for July 3rd. About 500 of ACC's 650 staff are members of SIPTU and about 50 are members of the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union. Most of the remainder are in management grades.

The bank is trying to reduce its exposure in the mortgage market, close a number of branches and reduce staff ahead of possible privatisation.

SIPTU branch secretary Mr John Swift said that members voted for strike action because the company refused to give guarantees that there would be no changes in work practices while negotiations took place on an agenda for change. The company has also refused to discuss implementation of the ESOP, according to SIPTU.

Mr Swift said the dispute was fundamentally about trade union recognition and the role of unions in semi-State companies. The Labour Relations Commission invited both sides to talks on Friday to try and resolve the dispute. A spokesman for ACC said it did not wish to comment ahead of Friday's meeting.