By Business & Finance 
Ulster Bank has announced the creation of 350 new jobs at its Direct Customer Contact Centre in Danesfort in Belfast.
The new hires will manage customer calls for RBS and Natwest while continuing to support calls from Ulster Bank customers in Northern Ireland and the Republic.
IBOA general secretary Larry Broderick has welcomed the bank’s announcement. “A number of factors have no doubt contributed to the decision by RBS to locate this work in Belfast,” he said. “But the crucial part of the equation has been the consistently high level of performance of our members in Danesfort – which has been recognised by independent industry experts in both Ireland and the UK. So the announcement is first and foremost a tribute to these workers.”
Broderick added: “However, I would also like to acknowledge the efforts made by Ulster Bank management in Ireland – as well as political leaders in Northern Ireland – to lobby RBS to make this additional commitment to Ulster Bank in Ireland. The union has played its part, too, in our representations to RBS and to ministers in the Government of Northern Ireland to facilitate this constructive initiative – which will see the delivery of full-time permanent jobs on terms and conditions negotiated and agreed with IBOA.
“Ulster Bank has been through some very difficult times recently – which have affected both staff and customers. So it makes a welcome change to be able to celebrate a positive development. While further restructuring lies ahead in Ulster Bank, we remain hopeful that this can be completed in line with the agreements already negotiated between Ulster Bank management and IBOA.”
