The trade union Unite has called on Bank of Ireland to seek a clarification of the terms of a Labour Court finding on levels of pay.
Around 500 Bank of Ireland staff members staged a one-day strike today in protest at the group's refusal to pay wage increases recommended by the Labour Court.
The action was taken by Bank of Ireland Life and Pensions' staff who are members of the Unite trade union.
Pickets were mounted at the bank's headquarters as well as at a Life and Pensions’ branch in Dublin city centre.
Members of other unions are not involved in the dispute.
Last month, the Labour Court recommended that increases be paid to staff in respect of the year ending 31 March.
Unite said failure to implement this recommendation is in breach of established Labour relations' procedures and it has called on the Minister for Finance to intervene.
Bank of Ireland said in the present economic environment, maintaining existing rates of pay is an appropriate application of the Court's recommendation.
The bank said it is not appropriate to pay cost of living increases, given present deflationary trends.
It said its focus is on protecting jobs and that adding to the wage bill at this time would not serve this purpose.
