FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990 SECTION 20(2), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1969 PARTIES : EBS - AND - UNITE THE UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Mr Duffy Employer Member: Ms Cryan Worker Member: Ms Tanham |
1. Integration of EBS into AIB
BACKGROUND:
2. This dispute arises from the integration of EBS into AIB. Both the Union and the Company referred this case to the Labour Court on 17th September, 2013 in accordance with Section 20(2) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1969, and both parties agreed to be bound by the Court's Recommendation. A Labour Court hearing took place on 11th October, 2013.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The Company is in this situation due to its deeply irresponsible lending and investment policies.
2. The Workers have remained professional and extremely flexible in addressing the difficult challanges facing the Company.
3.The Workers are now being asked to accept greater changes to their terms and conditions than those of EBS management or comparable AIB grades.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The Company's merger with AIB has been good for the Workers as they now enjoy much greater career opportunities.
2. There has been no cuts to rates of basic pay or pension entitlements.
- 3. All AIB employees must have the same terms and conditions of employment.
RECOMMENDATION:
Having considered the submissions of the parties the Court recommends as follows in relation to each of the issues in dispute: -
- 1.Removal of Automatic Pension Increases
- The Court recommends that the company’s proposal that the future pension increases be in line with the arrangements under the AIB scheme be accepted.
- The Court recommends that the Union’s proposal be accepted. Accordingly the first increase of one hour be introduced on 1stJanuary 2014 and the second hour on 1stJune 2014.
- The Court recommends that private health insurance premium payment be maintained on the current arrangements for the year 2014 and be discontinued thereafter.
- The Court recommends that the EBS maternity leave arrangements should continue to apply to transferring staff.
- The Court recommends that the Company’s proposal be accepted and that the current arrangements on flexitime be discontinued with effect from 1stJanuary 2014
- In consideration of the totality of the measures contained in this recommendation the Court recommends that those associated with these claim receive a once-off lump sum payment equal to 2% of salary.
- The Court recommends that the company’s proposal that the future pension increases be in line with the arrangements under the AIB scheme be accepted.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Kevin Duffy
21 October 2013______________________
CO'RChairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Clodagh O'Reilly, Court Secretary.