Blog Archive
Anglo Irish staff join IBOA
Posted on August 21, 2011 by Seamas Sheils
The wind-down of the Bank has started. The Bank's announcement that it intends to seek 350 redundancies worldwide - including 130 from the Republic - signifies the start of the process to wind down the merging entities of Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society.
Over the last three years staff from both Irish Nationwide and Anglo Irish Bank have been joining IBOA to secure professional representation and access to collective bargaining procedures and agreements. While IBOA has skilled professional staff supported by a wealth of specialist advisors, ultimately it is is the bargaining power of our membership that makes the crucial difference. This is aboutf numbers of members and their level of participation in the Union. And, this is in your hands.
No more redundancies planned
Posted on August 09, 2011 by Seamas Sheils
IBOA The Finance Union has welcomed the unequivocal statement from Danske Bank Group of its commitment to remain in Ireland and, in addition, that no further redundancies are envisaged in its Future Retention Strategy - following last year's restructuring of its operations in the Republic of Ireland.
IBOA General Secretary, Larry Broderick, said: "The Chief Executive of National Irish Bank, Mr. Andrew Healy, confirmed at recent meetings with IBOA that the Cost Restructuring Programme, which brought about significant change in National Irish Bank, is delivering significant benefits to the institution.
IBOA challenges AIB chief
Posted on July 26, 2011 by Seamas Sheils
The Board and senior management of AIB Group have been challenged by IBOA General Secretary, Larry Broderick, to engage meaningfully with the Union on the Bank's restructuring programme.
In a letter to the Bank's Executive Chairman, David Hodgkinson, before today's AIB AGM, the finance union leader has accused the Bank of failing to treat its employees with decency and respect by refusing to provide details of over 2,000 job cuts which were announced in April - and which may be implemented in October according to a recent announcement by the Bank.
Talks at the Labour Relations Commission between the Union and the Bank broke down last week because the LRC could find no basis for conciliation.
Irish Bank Resolution Corporation
Posted on July 25, 2011 by Seamas Sheils
Irish Bank Resolution Corporation:
New Name – Same Challenges…
Staff in IBRC have a unique opportunity to achieve professional representation through IBOA The Finance Union at a time when you never needed it more.
While the futures of Anglo Irish Bank or Irish Nationwide have been settled with the creation of IBRC, many major challenges remain. Redundancies are inevitable as the company is wound down over time. Pay and other terms and conditions of employment are currently under review. Staff face other issues including the possible transfer of parts of the business to other entities.
Kerry Christie, RIP
Posted on June 28, 2011 by Seamas Sheils
It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the death of our colleague, Kerry Christie, late last night. A member of the Union's Executive Committee, the Joint Chair of the RBS European Works Council and a former IBOA Ulster Bank Officer, Kerry had been battling cancer with remarkable courage over the last year. However, her brave fight has now come to an end.
IBOA General Secretary, Larry Broderick, has expressed the Union's heartfelt condolences to Kerry's family and friends, and to her wider family in Ulster Bank and throughout IBOA. "We are mourning an inspirational colleague and a most loyal friend," he said.
Sometimes it's personal!
Posted on June 01, 2011 by Seamas Sheils
Cathy has worked in the bank for ten years. She is a loyal worker and has consistently achieved a middle rating of 'Good' in her performance appraisals. At a performance appraisal interview, her Appraiser told her that this year she would be getting a rating of 'Requires Improvement.'
When she asked why this was the case, he told her that business wasn't great, she hadn't met all her targets and he couldn't justify giving her any more.
Apparently there had been a meeting of appraisers held to examine all the indicative ratings and, following this, a number of people were marked down.
Cathy was very unhappy as she had worked extremely hard, even under difficult circumstances. She sought advice from her IBOA Executive Committee member.
IBOA seeks talks on INBS-Anglo merger...
Posted on May 19, 2011 by Seamas Sheils
IBOA The Finance Union is seeking urgent negotiations with the senior management of Irish Nationwide Buidling Society on the Society's proposed merger with Anglo Irish Bank - following today's announcement of annual losses at the Society totalling more than €3 billion.
"This ongoing legacy of the past mismanagement of Irish Nationwide's affairs continues to have serious implications for its staff - even though they were not responsible for the reckless policies that were pursued by the Society," declared Union General Secretary, Larry Broderick.
Online Survey on the Culture of Banking
Posted on May 02, 2011 by Seamas Sheils
Survey of Banking Culture
IBOA is co-operating with an independent research project on the culture of banking - conducted by IR Research. A key element in the project is an online survey of staff working in the financial services sector.
IBOA members are encouraged to take part in the survey. Find out more by clicking here.
Poll Positions
Posted on April 23, 2011 by Seamas Sheils
The forthcoming Assembly elections present a major opportunity for democratic engagement between the people of Northern Ireland and those charged with exercising power and influence on their behalf.
While Union members in Northern Ireland will undoubtedly have many concerns of their own to put to the candidates, IBOA The Finance Union offers the following suggestions for questions members might ask prospective Assembly members:
AIB wants at least 2,000 more job cuts
Posted on April 12, 2011 by Seamas Sheils
The announcement that at least 2,000 more jobs are to be axed by AIB Group by the end of 2012 is an outrageous blow to staff, according to Larry Broderick, General Secretary of IBOA The Finance Union.
"AIB staff are in a profound state of shock at the magnitude of the job reductions being demanded by the Executive Chairman in his restructuring plan - especially since AIB has already shed around 2,000 jobs since the onset of the financial crisis in the autumn of 2008.
