Congress Condemns Bank 'Pressure Tactics'
20 Oct 2009
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions today (Oct. 20) condemned the 'pressure tactics' employed by Ulster Bank and their attempt to unilaterally impose new contracts and terms on their employees.
Congress General Secretary David Begg and Assistant General Secretary Peter Bunting criticised Ulster Bank for walking away from an agreed mediation process and for failing to pursue an agreement with unions that represent staff: the IBOA and SIPTU.
General Secretary David Begg said: "Ulster Bank's behaviour is reprehensible and has no place in the modern industrial relations arena. The bank is seeking to impose new contracts on staff that would undermine existing terms and conditions. Indeed, the new terms would impact severely on staff pension entitlements, with younger members being hit hardest.
"Attempting to browbeat young and relatively low-paid workers into signing away their hard won conditions is particularly unsavoury. Ulster Bank should return immediately to the mediation process chaired by Mr Kieran Mulvey and negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement with their staff representatives," Mr Begg concluded.
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