NIC-ICTU biennial delegate conference passes FSU motion calling for a moratorium on branch closures until 2025 and worker and consumer directors on the boards of the Banks

Northern Ireland Committee, Irish Congress of Trade Unions Congress biennial delegate Conference passes FSU motion calling for a moratorium on branch closures until 2025 and worker and consumer directors on the boards of the Banks

The Northern Ireland Committee, Irish Congress of Trade Unions Congress biennial delegate Conference was held over two days this week in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. Over thirty motions were considered by the delegates in what was the first delegate conference for Owen Reidy as the new General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

One of the motions considered and passed unanimously by the delegates was a motion from the Financial Services Union calling for among other things a moratorium on branch closures and the election of consumer and worker directors to the boards of the main retail Banks.

Commenting on the motion Eileen Gorman, Belfast based President of the FSU who proposed the motion said:

“The FSU and our members embrace change, but we want change to benefit workers, customers, and society. If we leave managing change solely in the hand of the banks there will be no protections for staff or the consumer.

As a Trade Union the FSU will not stand idly by and see the downgrading of a sector for the benefit of the few. We want a sector that is the chosen career path for many and a sector where change is managed and regulated.

We want a sector where staff and customers have a real say in the future of banking. The FSU motion looks for workers and consumer directors on the board of the Banks, calls for a moratorium on branch closure until at least 2025 and demands just reward for staff and protects the interest of the consumer”.

Marc Ashby, a member of the FSU Council who seconded the motion focused primarily on the gender pay gap in the Finance sector. In seconding the motion, he said :

“Political leaders in Northern Ireland need to make a clear statement they will support new legislation to make the publication of gender pay gap data a legal requirement.

We then need real action on pay transparency and action plans with set timelines and outcomes agreed between the trade union and the employer. If this is done, we can work towards the elimination of the gender pay gap.”

The FSU motion was passed unanimously by the delegates.

ENDS