08/09/2015 09:58
Three issues are still standing in the way of the renewal of the collective agreement at the Hellenic Bank, with the extension of the branches’ opening hours being the prevailing issue.
The other two issues refer to the loans granted to staff on favorable terms and to the staff assessment system.
Information from union and employer sources suggests that the management of the Hellenic Bank is expected to take final decisions within the week which will be submitted before the union.
In the context of direct negotiations between the two sides, the HB demanded an extension of the existing branch opening hours in order to achieve a better schedule than the one recently agreed by the Bank of Cyprus and the banks belonging to the bankers employers’ association.
The Hellenic bank is also reportedly considering whether to make a request for a limited functioning of a number of branches all over Cyprus on Saturdays, except in the summer months, mainly to deal with loan restructuring issues.
The statements made by Chief Executive Officer of the HB Bert Pijls in his interview last Sunday in Phileleftheros newspaper are indicative; as he noted that the bank operates for its customers and that the hours of its operation should meet their demands and needs.
Mr. Pijls suggested that if shops are going to stay open longer hours to serve the public, "maybe we should proceed to recruiting staff."
ETYK awaits the formal final proposal of the employers’ side to assess it and submit its own positions.
At the same time it is considering to call for general meetings of the staff to inform them.
The representatives of the two sides had a meeting last Friday without a result as the bank reserved the right to submit its final proposal after the relevant decision by the Board of Directors.
Preferential loans and assessment
As regards granting preferential loans to its employees, HB proposes that the level of the related interest rate varies according to the cost of money.
ETYK has raised the issue of adopting a new system for the assessment of staff for promotion purposes, describing the existing system as antiquated.
In addition, as StockWatch wrote last week, the opinion of the Attorney General of the Republic Mr. Clerides is pending at the legal service, regarding whether the recruitment of managerial personnel is a prerogative of the management or not.
The other two issues refer to the loans granted to staff on favorable terms and to the staff assessment system.
Information from union and employer sources suggests that the management of the Hellenic Bank is expected to take final decisions within the week which will be submitted before the union.
In the context of direct negotiations between the two sides, the HB demanded an extension of the existing branch opening hours in order to achieve a better schedule than the one recently agreed by the Bank of Cyprus and the banks belonging to the bankers employers’ association.
The Hellenic bank is also reportedly considering whether to make a request for a limited functioning of a number of branches all over Cyprus on Saturdays, except in the summer months, mainly to deal with loan restructuring issues.
The statements made by Chief Executive Officer of the HB Bert Pijls in his interview last Sunday in Phileleftheros newspaper are indicative; as he noted that the bank operates for its customers and that the hours of its operation should meet their demands and needs.
Mr. Pijls suggested that if shops are going to stay open longer hours to serve the public, "maybe we should proceed to recruiting staff."
ETYK awaits the formal final proposal of the employers’ side to assess it and submit its own positions.
At the same time it is considering to call for general meetings of the staff to inform them.
The representatives of the two sides had a meeting last Friday without a result as the bank reserved the right to submit its final proposal after the relevant decision by the Board of Directors.
Preferential loans and assessment
As regards granting preferential loans to its employees, HB proposes that the level of the related interest rate varies according to the cost of money.
ETYK has raised the issue of adopting a new system for the assessment of staff for promotion purposes, describing the existing system as antiquated.
In addition, as StockWatch wrote last week, the opinion of the Attorney General of the Republic Mr. Clerides is pending at the legal service, regarding whether the recruitment of managerial personnel is a prerogative of the management or not.
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