Workers at IT service provider, Kyndryl who are members of the Financial Services Union (FSU) are set to be balloted for industrial action up to and including strike action following what has been called a breaking of a long-standing agreement between organisations.
A spin-off of multinational tech firm IBM, Kyndryl was established in 2021 and provides services to several Irish companies including Bank of Ireland, PTSB, HSE and Bord Gáis.
The FSU has accused the IT firm of ignoring existing agreement and “unilaterally changing” working conditions, including on-call arrangements and overtime processes, as well as restructuring staffs roles and jobs without discussions or agreement.
“The treatment of staff by the management of Kyndryl has sparked real anger and frustration among staff,” said John O’Connell, General Secretary of the FSU. “It is incumbent on the company to immediately address the situation and show staff the respect that they deserve.”
Mr O’Connell added that the onus was now on Kyndryl to honour current agreements and to “desist from any changes until discussions, real negotiations, and our agreements are honoured.”
Kyndryl employed more than 240 people in Ireland in 2023, according to a financial statement submitted to the Company Registrations Office, however, that number is likely smaller now following a redundancy process introduced last year. It is understood that a large majority of Kyndryl staff are members of the FSU.
“Anger has been growing over the last number of months as the Company unilaterally introduced changes without any processes,” said Gareth Murphy, Head of Industrial Relations and Campaigns at the FSU.
“These were the same workers that restored the Bank of Ireland systems working long hours back in August of 2023. Kyndryl needs to respect its staff and come to the table to find reasonable solutions so that disruption to its customers can be avoided.”
The FSU said the balloting of its members will take place over the coming weeks.
Kyndryl has been contacted for comment.
