Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD87632 Case Number: LCR11388 Section / Act: S67 Parties: AIB - and - IBOA |
Relocation of the Legal Department.
Recommendation:
3. (i) The Court has carefully considered the submissions made
by the parties in this case and has examined the
various issues raised. At first glance none of the
specific issues warrant a continuation of a dispute
which has already lasted some seven weeks, given the
machinery available to the parties to deal with such
problems. Taken together however they do disclose a
situation in which certain sectors of the staff
involved, have for a considerable period of time
suffered a sense of alienation and isolation from their
colleagues in the organisation as a whole.
(ii) The Banks decision to transfer the department away from
the Bank Centre to Foster Place brought these matters
to a head.
(iii) The Court is not qualified to analyse the causes of
this situation but it is evident from the submissions
made by the Association that much of it stems from the
unique management and organisation structure of the
legal department which by its nature and function is
somewhat different from the departments operating
directly in the banking sector.
(iv) Based on this understanding of the issues the Court
recommends that in general terms the proposals set out
in the IRO's letter (appended hereto) of the 16th June
be accepted by the staff concerned as terms for
transfer to Foster Place.
(v) In particular the Court further recommends:-
(a) That the bank restore the overtime terms proposed
in Mr Cahills recommendation. The Court makes
this recommendation largely because it is of the
opinion that the dispute in the first instance
does not relate to the simple issue of
transferability.
(b) That the bank implement the proposed promotions
within one month of a return to work.
(c) That the Bank appoint the proposed Manager for the
legal department within six weeks of a return to
work.
(d) That every effort is made by both parties to
establish normal relations as soon as possible.
(vi) Finally the Court recommends that the Bank and the
Association review jointly the progress made in
implementing the proposed staff development programme,
in the first instance after a period of six months and
then after one year from the date of the appointment of
the Manager.
(vii) In the event of a dispute arising during the initial
stage of implementation of the Recommendation the
Court, will make itself available as a matter of
urgency to either party to investigate the issue.
Division: Mr O'Connell Mr McHenry Ms Ni Mhurchu
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD87632 THE LABOUR COURT LCR11388
CC87817 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR11388
Parties: ALLIED IRISH BANKS PLC
and
IRISH BANK OFFICIALS' ASSOCIATION
Subject:
1. Relocation of the Legal Department.
Background:
2. With reference to the Court's investigation of 31st August,
1987 into the above dispute the following is the Recommendation of
the Court:-
RECOMMENDATION:
3. (i) The Court has carefully considered the submissions made
by the parties in this case and has examined the
various issues raised. At first glance none of the
specific issues warrant a continuation of a dispute
which has already lasted some seven weeks, given the
machinery available to the parties to deal with such
problems. Taken together however they do disclose a
situation in which certain sectors of the staff
involved, have for a considerable period of time
suffered a sense of alienation and isolation from their
colleagues in the organisation as a whole.
(ii) The Banks decision to transfer the department away from
the Bank Centre to Foster Place brought these matters
to a head.
(iii) The Court is not qualified to analyse the causes of
this situation but it is evident from the submissions
made by the Association that much of it stems from the
unique management and organisation structure of the
legal department which by its nature and function is
somewhat different from the departments operating
directly in the banking sector.
(iv) Based on this understanding of the issues the Court
recommends that in general terms the proposals set out
in the IRO's letter (appended hereto) of the 16th June
be accepted by the staff concerned as terms for
transfer to Foster Place.
(v) In particular the Court further recommends:-
(a) That the bank restore the overtime terms proposed
in Mr Cahills recommendation. The Court makes
this recommendation largely because it is of the
opinion that the dispute in the first instance
does not relate to the simple issue of
transferability.
(b) That the bank implement the proposed promotions
within one month of a return to work.
(c) That the Bank appoint the proposed Manager for the
legal department within six weeks of a return to
work.
(d) That every effort is made by both parties to
establish normal relations as soon as possible.
(vi) Finally the Court recommends that the Bank and the
Association review jointly the progress made in
implementing the proposed staff development programme,
in the first instance after a period of six months and
then after one year from the date of the appointment of
the Manager.
(vii) In the event of a dispute arising during the initial
stage of implementation of the Recommendation the
Court, will make itself available as a matter of
urgency to either party to investigate the issue.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
John O'Connell
2nd September, 1987 --------------
U.M./U.S. Deputy Chairman
16th June, 1987
Mr A McKeon Mr L Broderick
Allied Irish Banks IBOA
Bankcentre 93 St Stephen's Green
Dublin 4 Dublin 2
Re: Legal Department
.................
Following the conciliation conferences in relation to the above, I
set out hereunder the position arrived at. I am satisfied that
the position set out is the Bank's final position.
1. Overtime
There does not appear to be any significant back log.
Mr T J Cahill's recommendation covers all
eventualities.
2. Access to Personnel
It is confirmed that all staff have access to the
Personnel Manager. However, most issues should be
capable of settlement at local level before recourse to
this procedure.
3. Future of Department
It is re-iterated that -
The Bank has no plans for changing the legal
department. If such plans arise in the future, the
IBOA will be consulted in relation to the implications
for its members.
4. Transfers
Bank will use its best endeavours to meet the needs of
the situation (as per recent experience), however it
should be noted that some requests are of a specific
nature and are more difficult to accommodate and that
the Bank must also be aware of the situations of staff
in other locations who may have a stronger personal
case. The Bank is willing to comply with Mr T J
Cahill's recommendations on this matter.
5. Promotions
The Bank plans to appoint a Manager with overall
responsibility for the administration of the legal
department and based in Foster Place. Apart from
his/her ongoing responsibilities, this Manager will
have a special function in the area of staff and
staff-related issues, including staff development in
administration. The Bank will also comply with Mr T J
Cahill's recommendation on this matter.
6. Staff Development
The Bank's view is that staff development is related to
internal training, job rotation, opportunities within
and outside the department and transfers.
Yours sincerely
Raymond McGee
Industrial Relations Officer