KBC double standards on Union recognition show a real need to campaign for collective bargaining

The refusal by KBC Ireland to acknowledge and act on their stated obligations contained in their sustainability report 2021 to negotiate with Unions has highlighted once again the glaring deficiencies in collective bargaining legislation in the Republic of Ireland according to Gareth Murphy, Head of Industrial Relations and Campaigns with the Financial Services Union.

Commenting on the refusal of KBC to accept Labour Court recommendations Mr Murphy said:

“All the main retail Banks in Ireland have collective agreements in place with the Financial Services Union except KBC. It would be inconceivable for any of the main retail Banks not to turn up to the Labour Court or the Workplace Relations Commission if requested to do so.

KBC state unequivocally in their recently published sustainability report that they “ supports the freedom of association of its employees and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.

This is at odds with KBC refusal to attend the WRC and Labour Court on numerous occasions and  ignore any recommendations which they have made.

This highlights the flaws in the current legislation around Collective Bargaining in the Republic of Ireland.

Unions need to organise and coalesce around a campaign to legislate for Collective Bargaining which would prevent companies like KBC been allowed ignore the industrial relations mechanism of the State.”

ENDS