A bitter inter-union row has broken out in ACC Bank which could further complicate the dispute which has arisen with management over its merger with TSB. More than 40 members of MSF have applied to join SIPTU and about 250 of the 350 members in the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union have also applied to join.
The defection of the MSF staff to SIPTU is unlikely to be opposed, as all members of the union at the ACC are involved. The ATGWU has, however, made it clear that it will oppose the loss of its members. It is currently the largest union in both the ACC and TSB, representing mainly clerical grades. SIPTU currently represents 65 branch managers at ACC, while MSF represents head office management grades.
Last week, the chief executive of the TSB, Mr Harry Lorton, who is overseeing the organisational aspects of the merger, expressed optimism that the dispute could be resolved quickly. However, a peace initiative brokered by industrial relations specialist Mr Tom Hayes broke down when inhouse union representatives said that they were still not prepared to co-operate with the installation of the UNisys/UNibank computer system, already used by the TSB.
On Friday, the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, announced the membership of the board for Newbank, as the merged organisation will be known. Among the directors is the former SIPTU general secretary, Mr Billy Attley. Mr Attley, who helped to resolve the recent dispute at Forfas Ireland, may be asked to intervene.
Resolution of the current dispute is complicated by the fact that trade union officials have been excluded from the talks with management, which are being conducted by shop stewards. These have become strained because of the inter-union row.