The 24-hour strike by workers at Bank of Ireland's information technology division has had no effect on customer service, the company said today.
But tensions between the bank and workers' representatives, the Irish Bank Officials Association (IBOA), were still in evidence with the association saying BoI "appear to want a war" while the bank says IBOA appears to be "out of touch with reality".
"All systems are operational and its full speed ahead," Mr David Holden head of group corporate communications at BoI said. All overnight information processing had been completed successfully and there were no reports of problems with cash machines or online services, he added.
He reacted with surprise, though, to an offer by IBOA to use industrial relations consultant, Mr Phil Flynn, as an arbitrator in the dispute.
"The suggestion is bizarre. Phil Flynn is the chairman of Bank of Scotland (Ireland). Either IBOA didn't know that or they have lost total touch with reality," said Mr Holden.
He said the issue should be referred to the Labour Court - which he described as "the pre-eminent arbiter in the country". But IBOA said the use of independent arbitrators was an industry norm.
Mr Flynn - a former ICTU president - brokered wide-ranging agreement at Allied Irish Banks and chief executive of the Labour Relations Commission, Mr Kieran Mulvey, acting in an independent capacity brokered a deal at Ulster Bank, the association pointed out.
"It's a standard procedure to go to third party conciliation. Phil delivers so we suggested him but Bank of Ireland seem to want a war here," IBOA spokesman Mr Marty Whelan said.
Today's action involves around 200 workers at the bank's technology support division, ITSIS, based in Cabinteely, Co Dublin. They are objecting to the terms of an outsourcing arrangement between the company and Hewlett Packard.
The bank has agreed to a seven-year €600 million deal which will see the striking workers transfer to HP. However they are objecting to the two-year contracts on offer and want a guarantee they will be re-employed by B of I in the event they are made redundant after the two-year period has elapsed.
Attempts to resolve the issue at the Labour Relations Commission broke down this week and the Irish Bank Officials Association has threatened to involve other members at B of I. An overtime ban will remain after the strike ends at midnight and a further escalation has been threatened.