Labour Court upholds AIB relocation agreement, defers rationalisation payments claim

The Labour Court recommended that AIB Group apply the compensation terms in its 2006 relocation agreement, but made no recommendation on restoring rationalisation payments at First Trust Bank pending further submissions. The recommendation was signed on 12 December 2017. The Financial Services Union said relocations increased staff travel costs and time, affecting their personal and family finances and work-life balance. AIB Group said branch transfers were routine and that relocation payments were no longer appropriate. The Court found that a 2011 management letter expressed an intention to withdraw from the 2006 agreement but did not actually end it. It said the agreement remained in force unless both sides agreed to vary it, and recommended that its compensation terms be applied to the relocation claim.