Cash machines and money deliveries to and from banks and retailers could be disrupted from next week by strikes by security van staff. The 600 cash-in-transit workers threatening to strike are employed by Securicor, Brinks and CP Security.
The first strike is set for Friday, March 3rd. The action is in support of a claim for an extra £1 an hour for past productivity.
Mr Kevin McMahon, SIPTU branch secretary, said yesterday that he expected to serve strike notice for another stoppage of one or two days' duration for the following week. "This will certainly escalate to a full-scale strike if there is not an early resolution to the dispute", he said.
Current rates of pay vary, but most staff are receiving at least the £5.25 a hour provided for in the latest registered employment agreement for the security industry. SIPTU is seeking a total increase of £2.50 an hour to bring their wages into line with those of bus drivers. The balance of £1.50 is being sought for future productivity.
Mr McMahon's arguments are similar to those made by Dublin Bus drivers for a 20 per cent pay rise. He says that his members are "angry at subsidising the cash-in-transit industry on the basis of very low rates of pay".
An IBEC representative said that employers would consider paying for future productivity but did not accept the claim for an increase of £1 an hour for past measures.