Unite the Union Releases

Thursday, February 2nd 2012, 1630 HRS

Unite reaches agreement with EBS

*Acceptance of LRC brokered deal to be recommended to members

*All Industrial action suspended pending ballot of 300 workers

Unite and management from the EBS Building Society have agreed a solution to the industrial action ongoing since December. This means the second one day strike will not now take place. The action has been suspended pending a ballot of the 300 Unite members of staff at EBS Building Society. This will commence at a general meeting tonight, Thursday February 2nd and the result will be known on Tuesday, February 7th.

The agreement brokered by the Labour Relations Commission will see staff being paid 50 per cent of the 13th month salary payment withheld in December. Additionally it has been agreed that an employer’s contribution of €4.8 million will be paid into the pension scheme, and that existing industrial relations policies and procedures will be adhered to throughout the process of integrating EBS staff into Allied Irish Bank.

“This is a very difficult environment for workers,” said Unite Regional Officer Colm Quinlan. “In many cases employers are simply saying take it or leave it with regard to decisions.”

“The strength of workers acting together in this instance has though, resulted in a fair solution to what had looked an intractable problem.”

“We will be recommending acceptance of this agreement to our members.”

End

Further information:

Colm Quinlan Unite Regional Officer 087 6299651

Rob Hartnett Unite ROI Press Office 086 3851955