'Maximum flexibility' on AIB hybrid working, says FSU
The Financial Services Union (FSU) has said that "maximum flexibility" is being applied to hundreds of pre-existing hybrid working arrangements at AIB.
The union and management have agreed to continue talks in January under the guidance of a third-party mediator, Kevin Duffy, the former Chairperson of the Labour Court, to try and resolve outstanding concerns and issues surrounding the introduction of the new AIB hybrid model.
The FSU said that the independent mediator has advised that maximum flexibility must apply to the January implementation of the new hybrid working model.
In July, AIB said that staff would be required to work in an office-based location for a minimum of three days a week.
At the time, the FSU accused the bank of acting unilaterally and described the announcement as regressive, shortsighted and without justification.
Following negotiations between the two sides, AIB presented the FSU with new proposals including usage of AIB hubs, reviews of pre-existing arrangements, and a commitment to agree any future changed with the union.
Those proposals were rejected in a ballot of FSU members.
"As a union we have pushed for improvements that make the bank's hybrid approach work better for staff and the employer," said General Secretary of the FSU John O'Connell.
"We have made significant progress with hundreds of individual cases for exemption receiving a positive result."
"The FSU will continue to represent members individual cases to the bank for exemptions," Mr O'Connell said.
An AIB spokesperson said it has provided flexibilities for staff, including the use of 47 local working hubs across the country as an alternative to attending their base location on one of their weekly onsite attendance days, subject to availability and agreement.
"We will continue to engage with our people on our updated hybrid working arrangements, which will come into effect as planned on January 1st, while also continuing to engage with the FSU using our normal industrial relations process," AIB said.
Read more: AIB staff living in NI but working in Republic told they cannot work from home
