IMPORTANT: Ulster Bank Pay Review 2026 Negotiations Commence This Week - UB 12/25

UB 12/25

Your Union negotiating team will formally commence pay negotiations this week with NatWest management for the Ulster Bank 2026 Pay Review.

This is our opportunity to collectively secure a pay award that properly recognises your hard work, dedication, and the crucial role you play in the Bank's ongoing success, especially during a period where corporate profits and shareholder returns have soared, while the ever escalating cost of living, driven by persistent inflation in housing, groceries, and fuel has eroded members’ standard of living.

A powerful negotiating position is built from the ground up. That’s why we recently launched the ‘Your Say for Better Pay’ 2026 Pay Survey to gather your direct views and priorities.

The response was outstanding. The clear and robust results from this survey provide us with a strong, evidence-based mandate directly from you. This data is not just numbers; it is your collective voice on:

• Your expectations for a fair pay increase.
• Your views on the current cost-of-living pressures.
• Your preferences on the makeup of your pay.
• The importance of benefits, transparency, and career pathway.
• 70% of members completed the survey.
• 91% of respondents felt their financial wellbeing has deteriorated over the last number of years.
• Almost 80% of respondents outlined some dissatisfaction with the Bank’s increase last year.

We will be taking this powerful evidence into the negotiation room to ensure the Bank’s offer reflects the real priorities of its workforce.

Your elected negotiating team is committed to pursuing a pay increase that not only addresses the rising cost of living but also rewards your contribution and reflects the Bank's performance. Your Union’s claim will be grounded in the feedback you provided in the survey.

The initial negotiation meetings are scheduled to begin this week. It is important to ensure your colleagues are also members. A strong union with high membership density is our single greatest asset at the bargaining table. Please encourage any non-member to join today. Join now at: www.fsunion.org/join

Please also ensure your contact details are up to date with FSU to receive all updates and ballot information. Look out for further communications from us via email, social media, and workplace notices.

We will keep you informed throughout the process with regular updates.

For queries please contact your Sector Committee, details below:

Sector Committee

Mandy La Combre

Senior Industrial Relations Officer