Euro changeover, ATMs shut down to facilitate changeover
At a briefing on its plans for the euro changeover today, the Bank of Ireland advised customers to withdraw enough cash in advance to see them through the New Year's Eve and early into New Year's Day.
The Bank's head of euro planning Michael Watson also advised customers to use Laser cards in the initial weeks of the euro to help them avoid confusion and delay. Bank of Ireland hopes to have nearly all its ATM machines, over 450, issuing euro notes by 5pm on New Year's Day.
In a separate development, the Independent Industrial Tribunal in Ulster Bank has recommended that staff there should receive euro payments to deal with the changeover to the new currency. The Tribunal said the payments should be in line with those awarded to AIB staff.
The key elements are: one day's leave or minimum £150 payment for all staff, enhanced overtime arrangements, and a £600 payment for staff dealing directly with the changeover. The IBOA has now agreed to convene immediate ballots in both AIB and the Ulster Bank.
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