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HUNDREDS OF EBS staff will go on strike tomorrow over the building society’s decision to withhold the so-called ’13th month’ payment.
UNITE the union says that 300 staff will picket at two branches at The Square in Tallaght and William Street in Limerick as well as the company’s head office on Burlington Road in Dublin.
The union also says that other staff who are taking part will strike at other branches around the country.
The dispute centres on a payment that would ordinarily have been included in employees’ wages for December but was not included this year amid staff claims that they were not notified of this.
The payment has been paid every year for the last 45 years. EBS says that the payment is a ‘bonus’ and must therefore be withheld. As an alternative it is offering staff interest-free loans worth a month’s salary.
The union claims it is still being paid to management however EBS disputes this saying that no bonuses of any kind have been paid to management since 2008.
“This is the first stage of what will be escalating action to right this wrong,” UNITE Regional Officer Colm Quinlan warned.
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An example of how the unions in Ireland are struggling to exist. In a time when half a million are unemployed they hold a strike over a bonus payment?
I’ve been told that staff in EBS have the option of having their salary paid in 13 installments every year. 1 Installment every month bar December when they get 2 installments, and this strike is over EBS withholding the second December installment. So it’s not a bonus payment but in fact wages the staff are entitled to.
Its fairly clear from the EBS
EBS says that the payment is a ‘bonus’
Your assertion thats this is part of regular wages is fully and wholly incorrect…
Read the piece above correctly to see where you made your mistake ObligPic
There are 12 months in the year and not 13 so I reckon it’s just an elaborate way of disguising a bonus. I feel for them especially as managers still got the payment but I don’t see what else they expect.
It also says in the article that managers did not receive the payment?
It is only a bonus in the wording of the contract, it is in reality a savings scheme that the staff contribute to for 11 months of the years to receive extra cash for Christmas. Therefore this year the staff are not receiving their full salary as stated in there contract. I am sure many of the staff have spent this money as they were not informed in advance that they weren’t receiving it. This does reflect poorly on the union as they are so inept at communicating this message to the public. And no, I’m not an EBS employee.
I didn’t know this. Poxy union isn’t helping matters. Id expect a negative reaction at the picket lines unless the issue is explained clearly
If it’s a bonus in the wording of their contracts then it’s a bonus and nothing more. These people work for a failed business and only have a job because the government merged them with AIB. They should be happy with what they have.
If it’s in their contract of employment then withholding it is an arbitrary pay cut by the employer. Good on them…should be more Irish people like them willing to stand up when something is wrong is done.
Fair play to them thought id get a positive comment in before the mud slinging starts.
Strike all you like folks. No matter how justified your cause I don’t think many people will care an awful lot nor be too upset by a reluctance to pass your pickets to get to a non functioning, nationalized zombi bank.
It’s not an exercise to win public opinion, what you or I think is irrelevant.
I always thought industrial action depended very much on public support to further it’s cause. At least it did when I was involved in such matters some years ago and was involved in many public relations efforts to that end.
Maybe such triviality is unnecessary when you work for a state owned and bailed out bank.
EBS workers and Unite, shame on you. You have full time, cushy jobs at a time when unemployment is at record levels, yet you go on strike. You’re a Government owened institution; how could the Government justify this to the rest of the county? “Yes, we’ve cut Social Welfare, disability, special needs assistants and cut back on vital public services, but the EBS lads will still get their Bonus”. No doubt you got preferential mortgage rates at the height of the boom too, as well as pensions, sick pay and other entitlements and perks. While you’re picketing, have a look around you at the people who are trying to scrape their way through this stressful time of year. I earn less than half of what I did a few years ago. If I went on strike to dispute this I’d be sacked. Rather than striking, you should put out a statement saying that Unite want you to strike, but to show solidarity with others, you will work through the planned day of action. If you expect pity from the public over this issue, then you’re in for a rude awakening!
Thought for one horrible second it was the ESB so with all due respect,phew.
The thirteenth payment is not performance related or dictated by any other criteria. This has already been reported by the media so please at least comment with the facts and not your own incorrect opinions. The 13th payment is part of the staffs salary, for example if your salary is 25k its divided in 13 rather than 12 so staff get paid a bit less every month to have more at christmas. It is written into EBS contracts however the minister for finance has been given the power to control all salarys for everyone in the financial industry, therefore superceding contractual law. EBS lower level staff have effectually taken an 8% pay cut due to this… These are the facts, at least now people can make informed opinions and comments.
Why no arbitration instead of strike?
One of many companies implementing pay cuts, what’s the alternative? Loss of job? Which is worse?
@Audrey. The problem is its not a pay cut to keep there jobs as with the merger next year AIB and EBS staff will be made redundant, I think upto 2.5K staff was reported last year between both banks.
Joanne good on u.
Ebs employees get a percentage of their wages taken every month to make up this ‘bonus’! They have worked for this money it’s not just a handout! I think it’s a disgrace they only got informed they wouldn’t recieve their wages two days before it was due and an even bigger disgrace is that management and above still recieved their ‘bonus’ but not the lower paid workers! Yes they are lucky to have a job but they are entitled to be paid aswell!!
Have you proof this is a percentage of their wages that’s deducted or are you just going on hearsay and what you’ve read from other people? Can an actual EBS employee tell us the wording of their contract?
I find it very hard to believe that someone who has a contract stating (for example) €25k per annum could legally have their pay reduced by 1/13th simply because their wage is divided yearly by 13 instead of 12.
I know somebody who works in a ebs branch and it is not their wages their with holding but in fact a bonus. My friend knows my opinion on the matter and in fairness they are not going to get much sympathy on the frontline tomorrow…
So is it a bonus or not? If its part of their wages it can’t be cut really can it. If its a bonus then they’re taking the mick.
Aydo,
If it is in their contract that it is part of their ‘salary’ then there is no way the ESB can go near it, as it is protected in law, and would breach employment legislation to withold it.
If it is a ‘bonus’ then it is at the employers discretion and may or my not be paid as he chooses.
For the workers and union, there is no argument to say “well it has always been paid, so you are obliged to pay it”
It is Not a BONUS it IS THEIR PAY
I wish someone would clarify one way or another, if this is a case where employees are paid their annual salary 1/13 monthly and 2/13 in December. If this is the case then the union aren’t communicating it very well. If it’s not the case then sympathy is in short supply.
That’s my beef, this isn’t clear which it is.
They are paid every 4 weeks and not Monthly which is 1/13 monthly is 1/12
Why dont you picket outside the labour exchange and see how much sympathy you have.
The unions know better then to try that…
The irish unions would be victim to a blood bath if they even dared approach a dole office with their self pity bull****
They now what side their bread is buttered on….
Its not that side… lol
Then let me direct this at you Kevin. Fair play for what. All the strike does is hurt the joe soap on the street who can’t use there banking service. I’m sure if it came out that they had a huge bonus you would whine and moan about that to. Why should they get a bonus there not entitled to
These are the joe soaps and I say fair play. There should be more solidARITY for the ordinary worker when their employer refuses to pay wages that are contractually agreed. If the y are not held to their part of their agreement it can set a bad precedent for other employers who see that they can go back on agreements and sit back as workers enviously snipe at one another. Divide and conquer
I can see why these people would be angry as the 13th payment they are meant to get is a saving scheme during the year, I get this but what I can’t get is why go on strike?? Can ye not be grateful just to have a job? I’m unemployed over 2 years and would love to have a job again so I must say I’m a little disappointed with the union for agreeing to this.
I understand this 13th payment business too Dave. What I don’t’ understand is what effect they think their strike will have. The bank is non-performing and nationalized at the expense of the public so effectively their wages are the equivalent of upper-class social welfare payments. Why would they think they should be above welfare recipients who had their Xmas payments removed?
The boom is over guys you’re just on a posher scrap heap!
Dave. The fact you are unemployed is nothing to do with this. These people are entitled to get paid. Its like saying that the social welfare take €10 a month of you and then your not getting your “bonus” at Christmas. I am not a EBS staff member and I despise unions but what are people to do. There has been enough of people being walked over in this country in the last few years. Most of these staff will be joining you in early 2012 with the merger of AIB and EBS (from what I know the staff have no contract with AIB as yet so there EBS contract stands). When you consider the CEO of this Company got a bonus a few months ago for personal reasons it is wrong and all management are getting there “bonus”. What should happen is that the Pensions Board go in and see if what EBS was doing was correct by paying the 13th month as a “bonus” to reduce there pension contributions liability.
What do u expect Dave, people 2 work 4 nothing just because u lost ur job? Lots of us lost our jobs it doesn’t mean that those who still work have 2 accept being treated like dirt.
The bonus is performance related. There a nationalised bank up to there eye balls in debt. The fact that it’s in the contract has no bearing for so ever if the company does not meet targets they are not entitled to it. It’s a simple rule of business
Chuck, the article relating to this last week said that is wasn’t performance related, just a bonus! Other than that I’m in agreement with you!
its not performance related!
@Audrey Haplin, its very simple the alternative is these staff members get what their are owed…their money! How can you make such an argument to try and justify an 8% pay cut 3 days before its due, on top of pay cuts, pay freeze and pension contribution increases these staff, along with every sector have already taken.
Of course a loss of job would be worse, but does that mean they should not stand up for themselves? Just take it and shut up? managers and other grades in EBS received the payment, and the very staff who have to sit at the counter and take abuse off the public about the banks suffer.
PTSB received the 13th month payment on the 28th Nov no questions asked because it was classed in their contract as an “annual payment” unfortunate for EBS staff, its called a “bonus” in their contact.
Last year EBS paid the 13th month to staff and stated in their accounts that no bonuses were paid, proving the Dept of Finance and EBS did not recognize the payment as a bonus 13 months ago.
Surely you can have some compassion for these staff! I do! If you don’t then god help the day your employer screws you over because what goes around comes around…
shame on these workers they should be glad to have a job!
yes we shud all be glad to have a job work 35 hours a week and not get paid! cause dats wat life is all about, get real
As joanne explained the payment is not a bonus and is not related to performance, financial results etc. ebs’ 2009 and 2010 results state that no bonuses were paid to staff or management, yet this year that very same payment is suddenly classed as a bonus! This 8per cent pay cut has been taken in full from one pay packet, not even spread across the 12 months. And managers who’s salary is structured over 13 months are still in receipt of their full payment.
Yes I do have proof that money is deducted from their wages, my sister is a member of staff! She Is willing to provide her wage slip showing a €400 deduction for this ‘bonus’!
We don’t know enough about this story to comment in such certain terms. If the payment is a bonus, which it is claimed to be, then the story is much different than if the payment is part of an employee’s salary. We don’t have enough information. EBS should publish the wording of the contracts and clarify the issue.
I think the Irish mentality is “oh your lucky to have a job, you should be grateful enough for that alone”..which is true but it doesnt mean you should let your employers walk all over you,alot of companies that are still doing well are using the economy & recession to short change there staff
Having said that EBS employees have zero support or sympathy from me..your not getting your bonus from a state owned building society which is now funded by the tax payers..so get over it & get back to work
You know I’m self employed and I treated myself to a bonus . A few beers down the local did me fine
The unions send out the picketers promising them good results, whilst the union staff are in their office licking their lips seeing the union membership money flow in. The day is gone for unions. Two things are in place these days – employment rights, and solid working contracts. Workers should manage their own affairs.
Eugene, you are right they are entitled to be paid but strike action. Have they every heard of the employment rights tribunal if there has been a breach in there contract they would sort it.
The employment rights tribunal is the way to go but the company as far as I know wont talk to staff and are saying its the AIB/Dept of Finance that are calling the shots and there hands are tied. Usual story of were ok jack so ………… The whole thing is a mess. Can you imagine the merger of the two companies next year if this is the first hurdle.
Dave have u ever heard of people fighting for their rights?
Yvonne I have heard of people sticking up for themselves I do it when needed myself. Let’s me be clear I’m with the staff here and understand that the money owed is money already earned its the strike action I don’t agree with. There must be another way.
UNITE really get on my wick. This is such a load of baloney. Bonus….me arse. Get back inside to work and stop embarrassing yourselves
Airtricity is cheaper
….oh sorry EBS
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