Bank staff seek euro work rise

Bank of Ireland porters and security staff are to seek a 6 per cent pay rise for handling the euro

Bank of Ireland porters and security staff are to seek a 6 per cent pay rise for handling the euro. Talks are due to begin next Monday. SIPTU, which represents porters and security personnel in the associated banks has just concluded restructuring negotiations with AIB and Bank of Ireland.

It had threatened industrial action at Bank of Ireland from today but the strike was averted by talks at the Labour Relations Commission yesterday. At these the company conceded across-the-board pay increases of 12 per cent.

A SIPTU branch secretary, Ms Chris Rowlands, said she was very happy with the agreement, which meant no more than 20 of the 230 posts would be lost, mainly through natural wastage.

At AIB, SIPTU secured increases of between 10 and 18 per cent but porters and security staff had to accept completely new job descriptions.