Irish Life staff vote for industrial action in row over pay

Members of the Unite trade union at Irish Life have voted to take industrial action in a row over pay and profit sharing.

It is understood that the union, which represents about 1,000 staff at the company, is seeking a pay rise and the re-introduction of a profit-sharing scheme.

Sources said that union members voted by about 95 per cent in favour of industrial action in pursuit of the claims. The level of the pay rise being sought by Unite was unclear.

It is understood that staff have not received a pay increase since 2010. Talks are expected to get under way between the union and management at the Labour Relations Commission today. A Unite spokeswoman declined to comment on the row.

The company said in a statement that “Irish Life has had recent discussions with the union [Unite] regarding certain employee terms and conditions. The matter has now been referred to the Labour Relations Commission and we look forward to participating in the process.”

This move by staff comes seven months after Irish Life was formally returned to private ownership following its acquisition from the State by Canadian company Great- West Lifeco for €1.3 billion.

Great-West Lifeco subsequently merged it with its Canada Life subsidiary under the Irish Life brand.