Staff demand Ulster Bank return to talks with IBOA

Members of the bank workers' union IBOA voted today in favour of a resumption of talks on pay and pensions with the management of Ulster Bank Group.

The bank brought conciliation efforts to a premature halt just over a week ago when it told independent mediator, Kieran Mulvey, that it intended to put its proposals to staff without the agreement of their unions, IBOA and SIPTU.

IBOA General Secretary, Larry Broderick, said that staff in Ulster Bank Group had have voted by 99.26% to 0.74% to mandate the union to seek to re-engage in talks.

“Members have given a clear message that they reject management's attempt to break agreements with the union and to impose new contracts unilaterally without full consultation, negotiation and agreement with IBOA.”

The union said the bank has threatened to withhold a portion of pay if staff do not sign up to new contracts. According to the IBOA, the new contracts are based on inferior terms and conditions.

"These developments give us even greater cause for concern as Ulster Bank have already shed 1,000 jobs North and South which have delivered considerable cost savings," Mr Broderick said.

“We believe it is still possible to resolve these issues through direct negotiations with the bank."

"But the bank has so far refused to return to the negotiating table."