Union secures Millennium pay deals in two main banks

In autumn 1999, two of Ireland's main banks, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank, have concluded agreements on "Millennium payments" with the Irish Bank Officials' Association (IBOA), covering employees who are likely to work all or part of Millennium eve, 31 December 1999, and the subsequent weekend.

The Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank, two of Ireland's largest banks, have concluded deals with the Irish Bank Officials' Association (IBOA) trade union on special "Millennium payments" for time worked on Millennium eve, 31 December 1999, and the subsequent weekend. While the payments are largely aimed at information technology (IT) staff required to monitor the computer problems associated with the year 2000 "Millennium bug" (whereby some computers will be unable to deal with the change in date), they will apply to any non-IT staff who may also be needed. These are the among first agreements of significance to be negotiated in the Republic in advance of the Millennium weekend (IE9905279N).

At Ulster Bank, the "commitment fee", as the payment is referred to, is a one-off sum of IEP 2,000 "paid to nominated staff provided staff are available during the roll-over period for work or be on call". Members of staff will be advised whether they are required to work or to be on call. "The on-call staff must be contactable, available and capable of working, during the roll-over period," the agreement states. The "roll-over period" is defined as being between 18.00 on Friday 31 December 1999 and 18.00 on Saturday 1 January 2000.

At Bank of Ireland, the agreement will operate on a voluntary basis. Bank of Ireland staff who are on call or standby between 31 December 1999 and 3 January 2000 will receive IEP 300 for being on call, or IEP 500 for being on call for the special "Millennium shift" from 20.00 on 31 December to 08.00 on 1 January. Their payments will depend on the time period worked. Bonus payments, based on a 12-hour shift, range from an extra IEP 500-IEP 950 on 31 December, to IEP 500-IEP 650 on 1 January and IEP 500 for both 2 and 3 January. In addition, staff will receive the normal "emergency attendance rate" for hours worked over a bank holiday weekend, plus a day's leave for each day or part of a day worked.

While few Millennium pay deals have been concluded at this stage, workers at Ireland's state electricity company, ESB, are set to lodge their claim in the near future. Police bodies and nursing unions are also looking for special arrangements.

The Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) has criticised such claims, suggesting that normal bank holiday payments should be sufficient reward for workers.