Brinks Allied talks break down

Money dispensers across the east coast are in danger of running empty after talks to solve the security dispute at the cash-in-transit company Brinks Allied failed, it emerged tonight.

Security van workers at the company will consider strike action in the row which has left around 200 non-bank branch ATMs around the greater Dublin area run dry.

Talks between management and SIPTU members at the Labour Relations Commission to try and end the row over new security procedures broke down this evening.

SIPTU’s security service branch secretary, Kevin McMahon, accused bosses at the company of not engaging properly in the talks to search for a solution.

Mr McMahon said: “Before the company would allow workers to resume they wanted agreement on a whole range of other matters around the operation of the Dutch vehicles.

“Obviously the longer this dispute goes on these ATM machines will shut down completely, the machines that are serviced by Brinks.”

The 12-day-old dispute centres on the introduction of new security vans and work practices.

The company said it wanted to bring in the new procedures to stop the spate of attempted robberies on security vans stocking ATMs.

SIPTU workers particularly objected to the new practices which include an instruction to drive the van away from the scene of an attempted robbery, even if it means leaving a crew member behind.

“We offered to recommend a compromise solution to our members, which would see a resumption of cash in transit operations and training on the controversial Dutch vehicles,” Mr McMahon said.

SIPTU, the largest union in Ireland, said its members were prepared to work out an agreement by which the vehicles could be operated while a health and safety intervention took place.

“However the company wanted local negotiations on a much broader range of issues that was impractical from a union perspective in the present situation.

“We have no option but to ballot our members at Brinks on Wednesday,” Mr McMahon said.

Mr McMahon said the ballot for strike action would involve the 80 SIPTU members working in the cash services.

SIPTU said it would be informing all of its union members at Brinks Allied of the outcome of the talks tomorrow.