Talks between Ulster Bank and unions representing staff at the lender on a pay rise have been sent to an independent mediator after agreement between the sides was not reached.
Last month, the Financial Services Union (FSU) submitted a claim on behalf of members for a combined cost-of-living, productivity and performance increase of 6%.
However, the union claims the company's proposals have not been acceptable and as a result it has now decided to refer the matter to an independent third party.
Earlier this year, Ulster Bank announced that it intends to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland.
It currently employs around 4,000 but its chief executive, Jane Howard, recently told an Oireachtas committee that bank wide voluntary redundancies will not begin before the end of June next year.
In the meantime, staff continue to serve customers in the normal way and prepare the bank for its withdrawal.
The FSU said rising inflation and cost of living increases are putting pressure on families of hundreds of Ulster Bank union members.
It said those members and its representatives attended a virtual meeting to discuss the unions pay claim and strategy and agreed to refer the matter to mediation.
"We are pleased that so many of our union members have endorsed our position," said Head of Industrial Relations and Campaigns with the FSU, Gareth Murphy.
"We know that rising costs and inflation are hurting people and families, especially at this challenging time of year."
"We have submitted clear evidence of our members views on pay, their priorities, and evidence-based justifications for the claim."
Mr Murphy added that it is disappointing that Ulster Bank’s position to date, both in the structure of pay and in the monetary amounts, does not live up the reasonable and fair expectations of the union’s members.
It is expected that the mediation process will begin in January.
