Update re. meeting with Retail - PTSB

Update on meeting with Retail

Your union committee had a constructive meeting yesterday with Eddie Kearney, Patrick Farrell, and Margaret Woodlock to talk about the future of retail banking in PTSB. Next week we will meet with Tech & Operations – take the survey at the end of this circular to give us your questions or feedback for them.

1. Future of the branch network

From your feedback for Retail, we told the Bank that our members feel morale is low in branches and that we need to have a clear picture of what branches look like going forward for staff who are staying.

Eddie and Patrick gave a commitment that the Bank’s priority is to ensure the existing branch network is viable in the long-term. They said the VSS is part of the plan to make the local network fit-for-purpose and sustainable into the future. They re-committed that any future plans and changes to the branch network will be subject to union negotiation.

2. Branches opening with 2 staff

We got a commitment directly from Eddie and Patrick that no branch should be operating with only two staff outside of an exceptional emergency. If a branch does have to open with only two staff, it should close for lunch. This will be welcome news to our members who have had to deal with substandard staffing levels from time to time.

You should always notify our Union as well as your TSM if you are understaffed and being asked to open the branch. It is important that we can keep consistent records of understaffing so that we can identify whether an area has a systemic issue or if the request is truly an exception.

3. VSS exit dates

Lastly, we have received questions from some members about exit dates for VSS. Many people have a standard exit date of 31 May. The Bank has told us that it is extremely unlikely that anyone with the standard exit date will be kept beyond the end of May who has not already been notified.

4. Complete survey on Tech & Operations feedback

Next week we will meet with Tech & Operations and want to bring your feedback to them. Click here to fill in the survey to let us know any feedback or questions you have for them.

Caitleen Desetti

Industrial Relations Organiser

PTSB Union Committee: