Staff at Ulster Bank in the Republic of Ireland are currently considering the possibility of industrial action.
There are 1,500 staff employed at Ulster Bank in Ireland. According to Mr Larry Broderick, General Secretary of the Irish Bank Officials' Association (IBOA), the situation arises from the bank's failure to honour existing agreements and management's refusal to address serious problems confronting staff. These include:
Insufficient staffing, in particular a shortage of reliefstaff leaving many locationsundermanned on a regular or long-term basis;
Imposition of a new expenses policy, which fundamentallyaltered several previously negotiated agreements and the bank's refusal touse an agreed tribunal to resolve this matter;
Inadequacy of branch security, highlighted by the number ofrecent raids.
Mr Broderick explained that the IBOA has held a series of meetings withits members in Ulster Bank over the last couple of weeks, through which ithas become clear to the union that there has been a "significant deterioration in theattitude of management towards staff with the Bank apparently seeking toimpose change without consultation or agreement with the Union."
"Furthermore, increased workloads, changing terms and conditions, andreduced staffing levels are having a detrimental effect on the morale ofbank staff. These developments are extremely unsettling for staff but arealso likely to have huge implications for Ulster Bank customers who havebeen assured that the new 'Horizon Change Programme' will improve thequality of service to them not worsen it," he added.
Mr Broderick stated that staff are very disappointed that Ulster Bank appearto be reluctant to use the existing negotiating procedures and structures toaddress staff problems, which has served both sides well in the past whensettling disputes.
"Given the significant increase in Ulster Bank's profitability in recentyears, it is only fair and reasonable that staff working for Ulster Bank aretreated with the respect and dignity they deserve," he said.