Union boils over as bank chief favours women

Ulster Bank chief executive Mr Martin Wilson has enraged the Irish Bank Officials' Association with what they describe as "sexist and ageist" comments about bank staff. In an interview, Mr Wilson said he would like the bank's customer advisers and managers to be predominantly women and aged between 25 and 35.

The association yesterday called on Mr Wilson to withdraw his comments as they sent a very negative message to employees older than 35.

"Basically the message Mr Wilson and Ulster Bank are giving to all employees aged over 35 years and all male employees is that they have no future with the bank. Already, it has caused uproar among the bank's staff, the majority of whom do not fit into these categories," said the association's general secretary, Mr Larry Broderick.

Mr Broderick added that the comments could also be in breach of employment equality legislation.

A spokesman for Ulster Bank said Mr Wilson's comments had to be taken in the context of the employment structure of the bank. "The number of managerial positions held by women in the bank is substantially out of proportion with the number of people employed in Ulster Bank. The trend in the new bank we are creating will be towards earlier promotion for younger employees," he said. About 50 per cent of Ulster Bank's 4,500 staff are women.

The comments come at a time when Ulster Bank's staff in the Republic have balloted for industrial action if the bank seeks to implement radical job and pay cuts. Staff in Northern Ireland are also due to ballot on whether they should sanction industrial action.

The bank's restructuring plans will be examined by independent tribunals in the Republic and the North but industrial action will not take effect until after Christmas.

Ulster Bank insists it will not be closing branches but the association believes its restructuring plans could lead to between 200 and 500 job losses and pay cuts of as much of 30 per cent for certain employees.

The proposals aim to bring the structures in Ulster Bank in line with its new parent, Royal Bank of Scotland. Many of the changes the bank is now seeking were identified by Ulster Bank management when National Westminster Bank signalled its intention to sell the bank to fund its defence of a hostile bid from Bank of Scotland.