Bank workers vote for action

WORKERS at Bank of Scotland (Ireland) and Halifax have voted 85% in favour of industrial action in response to their parent company’s decision to close its Halifax branch network with the loss of 750 jobs.

The ballot of 1,000 members of the Unite trade union found that 75% of those not affected by the job losses were prepared to take part in the protest action.

Unite said its officials will now engage with management to seek “real negotiations” on the level of proposed job losses across the entire business, a substantial lump sum payment for short service staff, a suitable long service option including early retirement for those who wish to take it, a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies in the continuing business and the resolution of a number of outstanding individual issues.

“This is the first closure of a retail bank in Ireland and the first time that a programme of compulsory redundancies has been sought to be imposed in the financial sector,” said Unite regional officer Brian Gallagher.

“Our members feel betrayed and are willing to strike back. Many gave up secure jobs in other banks and financial institutions on the basis of what now are apparent as false promises.

“They were actively encouraged to take out financial products which now place them in financial danger.”

“The workforce have put forward a compelling case for the inclusion of Bank of Scotland (Ireland) as part of a third banking force in Ireland. We are still awaiting a response from either the banks’ management or more importantly from the Department of Finance and the Office of An Taoiseach as to how this is viewed.”

“The closure of PostBank on Friday adds extra urgency to a Government response and we cannot afford to wait any longer.

“If it chooses to pay a bonus to its chief executive of £2.5m but then refuses to engage with the staff that made their profits possible, then they should be prepared for a sustained campaign of action that will impact upon their international standing and reputation,” he said.