Bank of Ireland IT staff expected to vote for strike over outsource plan

KEY staff essential to the operation of Bank of Ireland’s information technology operations are expected to vote for strike action over plans to outsource the maintenance of the bank’s computer systems.

The Irish Bank Officials’ Association (IBOA) yesterday said it would ballot its 200 members in Bank of Ireland’s ITSIS division.

IBOA general secretary Larry Broderick said the decision to ballot for industrial action arose from increasing concerns among staff about plans to outsource their jobs to an IT provider.

Bank of Ireland confirmed it is in negotiations with IBM and Hewlett Packard to outsource IT operations.

A spokesperson said that until a “preferred supplier” is identified in the coming weeks they are not in a position to re-enter negotiation with the union.

Mr Broderick said: “What is happening to these members is totally unacceptable.

“Big corporate organisations are engaging in a bidding war, treating staff as chattels and deciding on their future and their jobs without any discussion and agreement with IBOA.

“The industrial ballot aims to ensure that before any decision is made, there must be full consultation and agreement with staff. “The IBOA is adamant that staff have to be an equal partner at any negotiating table going forward,” Mr Broderick said.

He added that if the staff at ITSIS were to go on strike it could result in very serious disruptions and the possible collapse of the bank’s computer systems throughout the organisation down to branch and ATM level.

“It is disappointing to note that within days of the conclusion of the National Partnership Agreement, Sustaining Progress, Bank of Ireland senior management have failed to translate the partnership principles to local level and to give staff a say in their future,” Mr Broderick said.

He added that the IBOA would be insisting that no decisions be made in relation to any plan to outsource until there was full consultation and agreement with the union.