Bank IT staff set to strike

BANK of Ireland staff are set to strike after talks between the bank and the Irish Bank Officials Association broke down late last night.

The protracted talks at the Labour Relations Commission were aimed at averting a one-day strike at the bank's computer services and information technology division, ITSIS, based in Cabinteely, Dublin, but it now looks certain the action will take place tomorrow. The row centres on the bank's plans to outsource ITSIS to US multinational Hewlett-Packard.

The sides were unable to reach agreement on job security and the right of workers to return to the bank if problems arose at Hewlett Packard. The 24-hour stoppage is likely to start at midnight tonight.