A BALLOT for industrial and possible strike action has received the overwhelming backing of Bank of Scotland (Ireland) (BoSI) workers who are members of trade union Unite.
Last month the bank announced that it was to close its 44 Halifax branches in Ireland with the loss of 750 jobs.
Following yesterday’s ballot result, the union asked the company to engage in “realistic negotiations to save jobs and improve redundancy terms”.
The form of action will depend on the bank’s willingness to negotiate, Unite regional officer Brian Gallagher said. But he said that any action would need to take place before workers are let go in June.
The response so far from management has been “unsatisfactory” and there was a “considerable gap” between the union and management, he said.
The union wants a substantial minimum lump sum payment for redundant workers because of their short service as the retail bank opened in Ireland just four years ago.
BoSI is offering seven weeks per year of service with a minimum redundancy payment of 13 weeks. BoSI will “continue to consult with the union,” a bank spokesman said.
Unite members at BoSI not directly affected by the job losses voted by “a substantial majority” for their colleagues, Mr Gallagher said.
