UNITE, THE union which represents workers at Bank of Scotland (Ireland), has called on the bank’s parent company to clarify plans for its Irish operations.
The union says it is “concerned” for the future of 1,700 workers at Bank of Scotland (Ireland) and its retail division, Halifax, following the announcement this week of 5,000 job losses in Britain.
Bank of Scotland (Ireland) is owned by British bank Lloyd’s, and operates 46 retail branches in Ireland under the Halifax brand.
In June, the company said it was conducting a “strategic review” of the bank’s Irish division. In August the bank said it was postponing that review pending a ruling by the European Commission on Lloyd’s following an injection of billions of pounds in state aid into the bank.
Unite’s Jimmy Kelly said the recent job losses in Britain had prompted the union to reiterate its call for information from Lloyd’s.
“Workers are depending on rumours, and second-hand information. We want facts and serious, first-hand engagement.”
A Bank of Scotland (Ireland) spokesman said the bank “continue to be engaged” with staff and Unite. “We keep them both informed of developments in the business as they arise.”
