Unions to begin redundancy talks with Ulster Bank next week

Redundancy negotiations between Ulster Bank management and trade unions will begin next week.

The bank wants to axe 950 jobs this year, 600 in the Republic and 350 in the North, as part of a cost-cutting programme.

The Irish Bank Officials Association, which represents the majority of staff, is appealing to Ulster Bank to reconsider its restructuring plan.

IBOA general secretary Larry Broderick said that the talks will be aimed at reducing the number of job losses.

"It's inevitable that there's going to have to be job losses in Ulster Bank and unfortunately it's inevitable that there's going to have to be restructuring," he said.

"The hope is that we … may be able to present an alternative that could at least minimise the number of job losses.

"But I think, regardless, my fear is, based on the meeting today, that this will be a significant job loss arrangement in Ulster Bank."