MUBE on warpath over HSBC collective agreement talks

MUBE is threatening to register a trade dispute over the slow pace of collective agreement talks with HSBC over salary increases.   

The Malta Union of Banking Employees has announced that whilst collective agreement negotiations for 2011-2013 with HSBC have been ongoing since March 2010, the bank has been “reluctant” to deal with the union’s request for salary increases.

“This attitude has in so many ways stalled the negotiations. MUBE’s proposals, on its part, have been motivated by the increased work intensity and the long working hours that are being demanded which are leaving a heavy toll on HSBC staff,” MUBE president William Portelli said.

“Moreover, current practice of off-shoring of jobs to Asia and Eastern Europe is undermining staff morale and is creating a feeling of anxiety and uncertainty, further deteriorating HSBC’s current working environment,” Portelli added.

MUBE said it had now reached a point where management appeared to be “clearly out-of-touch with staff, witnessed by the alarming number of staff seeking to leave HSBC at the first available opportunity.”