Aviva in Galway backs ballot

Staff of the insurance company Aviva in Galway have unanimously backed plans to ballot for industrial action on foot of the decision…

Staff of the insurance company Aviva in Galway have unanimously backed plans to ballot for industrial action on foot of the decision to let almost 1,000 personnel go over the next two years.

The Galway staff last night supported moves by their colleagues in Dublin to hold the ballot, which could get under way as early as Tuesday.

The trade union Unite said last night that the mood at the company was one of “anger and defiance”. Unite regional officer Brian Gallagher said Aviva remained immensely profitable.

The Irish Timesreported yesterday that Aviva's Irish operations had made profits of €32 million in the first six months of the year, even though this was considerably down on the previous year.

Martin Wall

Martin Wall

Martin Wall is the former Washington Correspondent of The Irish Times. He was previously industry correspondent