Union concerns over BoI changes

The bank workers’ union has raised concern about “significant changes” for some Bank of Ireland employees that it claims are being made without proper consultation.

Among the changes being proposed by the bank are a move from a five- to a seven-day week for workers at the bank’s online service, the Irish Bank Officials' Association said.

The redeployment of staff from Bank of Ireland finance section to the mainstream area of banking has also caused objections to be raised by the union.

The union said it was surprised the bank was seeking change in such a “provocative manner”.

Changes could have been dealt with through existing agreements but the “new approach” could create “unnecessary difficulties” union general secretary Larry Broderick said.

When bank management was asked to explain the “sudden change” in relationship, they said the bank was “responding to pressure being generated by the Department of Finance,” Mr Broderick claimed today.

Mr Broderick said he could not verify the bank’s explanation but was aware from other institutions that “intervention by the Department of Finance in their day-to-day operations is becoming increasingly problematic”.

The union is advising members not to co-operate with the changes and would consider “all options” up to and including industrial action.

Bank of Ireland said it was available to discuss with the union “any issues of specific concern” regarding initiatives designed to enhance bank efficiency.

A Department of Finance spokesman yesterday said that in light of the “substantial investment” of the taxpayer in “covered banks” and “in line with the placing agreements” it was “involved in active discussions with the banks on a number of key strategic issues, taking account of the new norms in the banking sector and in the wider economy”.