KBC refusal to attend the Labour Court shows the Bank's complete contempt towards the industrial relations mechanisms of the State.

KBC have being criticised by the Labour Court for refusing to attend a Court hearing to discuss issues relating to its proposed withdrawal from the Irish Banking market.

The Financial Services Union had sought the assistance of the Labour Court due to KBCs refusal to engage with the Union on crucial issues ranging from pension protection to equal and transparent retention payments to staff.

In its recommendation the Labour Court found it “regrettable that workers in membership of the Trade Union are not facilitated to engage as they desire with their employer through their union at a time when fundamental issues arise in their employment”

According to Gareth Murphy, Head of Industrial Relations and Campaigns with the Financial Services Union “the Bank of you, as KBC refers to itself, is not a Bank that values staff engagement or a Bank that adheres to normal industrial relations practices.

“Once again KBC Ireland has refused to attend a Labour Court hearing and has refused to engage with staff’s union. This shows a complete contempt for the industrial relations mechanisms of the State and a disregard for the views of Union members in the Bank.

There are many outstanding issues relating to the withdrawal of KBC from the Irish Banking market and it is regrettable that the Bank has declined to engage in any constructive dialogue with the FSU.

KBC recognises and negotiates with Unions in other jurisdictions but treats its staff in Ireland as second-class employees. All other main retail Banks in Ireland take a different view and negotiate with their staff’s union representatives.

The fact that KBC are allowed to ignore the Labour Court shows the need to urgently modernise our industrial relations legislation and why workers want real reform.

KBC should follow the Labour Courts advice and immediately start meaningful negotiations with the FSU.

The FSU have written again to KBC on this and are available to meet over the coming days “concluded Mr Murphy

ENDS

Ever wondered what it's like for an Irish Trade Union to deal with a Big Corporation? For more about Unions, Organising and Collective Bargaining - check out: www.fsunion.org/collective-bargaining