GE Money
IBOA condemns GE Money redundancy decision
Issued : 19 January 2009
GE Money's decision to seek an additional 100 compulsory redundancies in Dublin and Shannon on top of a similar number of job cuts already implemented in the second half of 2008 is totally unacceptable, according to IBOA The Finance Union.
Union General Secretary, Larry Broderick, said that staff in the finance company who are still coming to terms with last year's job cuts are shocked that further redundancies are being sought. "Even staff who believe they may survive this round of cuts are concerned that further reductions may now be sought in the future."
"Management's handling of the situation has been appalling," said Mr. Broderick. "Instead of trying to allay staff concerns, the actions of management have actually intensified the uncertainty.
"Even though IBOA has negotiated severance terms in the past, GE Money management has refused to engage with the Union on this occasion to address the very serious issues which will affect all staff in the company.
"Management's cavalier attitude to industrial relations norms is also alarming - as evidenced by their refusal to avail of the services of the Labour Relations Commission to defuse this increasingly difficult situation.
"We are calling on management at GE Money to at least do their employees the courtesy of ensuring that normal industrial relations procedures are honoured in this situation.
"We would also urge the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to recognise that if the Government wants constructive trade union engagement at national level, this must be reciprocated at local level. At the very least, GE Money staff should be entitled to be represented by Union negotiators," added Mr. Broderick.
The issue will also be raised at the next meeting of the ICTU Executive Committee on Wednesday, January 21.
