Workers in the financial sector are demanding a 10 per cent wage increase over two years in exchange for their support in upcoming negotiations of a new social partnership agreement.
A motion was passed today at the Irish Bank Officials Association ( IBOA) annual bank secretaries conference threatening to leave Ictu if its demands are not met in full.
The warning comes after Siptu, the largest union in the State, recently warned it is reviewing future participation in national agreements.
Irish Bank Officials Association general secretary, Larry Broderick
The IBOA motion demands inclusion of a local bargaining clause in a new wage agreement, along with enhanced profit-sharing.
"Unless we achieve our objectives during the negotiations, not only will IBOA vigorously campaign against any proposed agreement, we will also have to review our membership of Ictu and take a serious look at whether we can achieve more for our members in direct negotiations with the banks," general secretary, Larry Broderick said.
He said members were increasing "productivity and profitability" in the financial sector while having wage increases constrained by national wage agreements.
"It is obvious that having a one-fit-all approach to national agreements no longer works as the differences and priorities of workers in the private and public sectors are so significant, that a single agreement just cannot meet the expectations of both sectors.
He said a new model of social partnership must be developed to address these concerns.
He also hit out at the employers' group Ibec, saying they were only paying 'lip service' to agreements and had not admonished "their maverick members who arrogantly and openly breach the terms of national wage agreements".
The motion was adopted unanimously and will cause concern for the Government which is keen to see the social partners sign up to a new agreement. The Taoiseach this week hinted that developments in legislative protections for workers may be improved in a new deal but he warned that pay moderation would be required to maintain competitiveness.
His message was echoed by local TD and Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea who addressed the conference which took place in Limerick.
"The inescapable consequence of higher wage inflation in Ireland is the diminished attractiveness of the Irish economy for investment and a slowdown in the pace of employment creation and economic growth," Mr O'Dea said.
The message wil be all the more difficult to sell to the trade union movement in light of the jump in inflation to 3 per cent revealed today.