500 Bank of Ireland staff belonging to the trade union Amicus have voted to take industrial action in the row over new pension arrangements which unions have described as 'inferior'.
93% of the Amicus members balloted voted in favour of industrial action up to and including strike action.
Amicus official Colm Quinlan said that he is writing to Bank of Ireland today to inform the company of the ballot result - and that some form of industrial action would take place in the week commencing November 13.
They will notify the bank tomorrow of what form of industrial action they might take - though Mr Quinlan said that it would involve a minimum of a one day strike.
The Irish Bank officials Association, which represents around 8,000 members in Bank of Ireland, has deferred a similar ballot pending a Labour Court hearing on the pensions row next Thursday.
This evening Bank of Ireland said the new pension strategy is aimed at providing 'competitive, progressive and socially responsible pensions for new employees' with no changes in benefit for existing staff or pensioners.
'The new pensions arrangements reflect the changing environment and are superior to most changes being introduced by other companies at present', the bank said in a statement.
The bank said that in compliance with the Labour Court's request that parties desist from any action that could exacerbate the current dispute, it has no further comment at this time.
