April 16th: Unite, which represents members throughout the finance sector, today (Friday) expressed solidarity with KBC staff and the Financial Services Union following today’s shock announcement that the bank is in discussions with Bank of Ireland about selling its performing loan assets and liabilities preparatory to exiting the Irish market.  Workers were left to hear of the development from the media.  

Pointing out that KBC is just the latest in a long line of financial institutions to end or shrink their presence in the Irish banking market, Unite Regional Officer Jean O’Dowd said the announcement again highlights the importance of finance workers being part of a union: