Workers to challenge Ulster Bank business plan

ULSTER Bank workers are to engage a firm of independent consultants to challenge the bank’s business plan, which involves the loss of 950 jobs and a major restructuring of its operations in both the Republic and the North.

The Irish Bank Officials’ Association (IBOA), which represents almost 6,000 of the bank’s employees on the island, called on Ulster Bank’s management to revisit the reform programme announced on Thursday in order to preserve the maximum number of jobs.

Under the controversial plans Ulster Bank, which is owned by Royal Bank of Scotland, has sought to reduce its staff numbers by 600 in the Republic and 350 in the North as part of a €70m cost-cutting programme.