More than 200 ATM machines along the east coast are likely to remain empty in the coming days as security van drivers continue to refuse to use new vehicles, which they say will leave them vulnerable to attack.
The Labour Relations Commission is due to intervene tomorrow in the dispute between employees and management at the cash delivery firm Brinks Allied.
However, both sides said yesterday there was little sign of any speedy resolution to the row which left hundreds of ATM machines empty over the bank holiday weekend.
The dispute affects non-branch cash machines belonging to AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank.
Customers have been advised to get cash at ATM machines attached to bank branches and retailers. Customers with laser cards have been advised to avail of the cash-back facility when purchasing goods.
SIPTU, which represents security staff involved in the dispute, is advising members not to use a new fleet of security vehicles introduced in response to an upsurge in robberies from bank machines.
While Brinks Allied says the new vehicles contain new and improved security measures, van drivers are refusing to follow company instructions to drive away from a threatened colleague in the event of a robbery.
Union members also say that while the new vehicles are designed to access ATM machines on the continent without having to get out of the vehicle, this is not possible because of the size of Irish machines. SIPTU has advised members to remain available for work, but only using the older vehicles.
Brinks Allied declined to comment on the dispute yesterday, although union sources claim the firm has warned staff that it will cease paying employees who refuse to use the new vehicles.
In the absence of a speedy resolution to the dispute, the bank machines will remain empty for the foreseeable future as SIPTU members in rival cash delivery firms have signalled that they will not intervene to supply the affected ATM machines.
A Brinks Allied source said there were some informal contacts with SIPTU over the weekend, although the union insists these did not amount to anything of substance.
SIPTU, meanwhile, says it has offered three options to the company to help resolve the dispute, but says these have not been acted on. They include allowing an independent health and safety audit or addressing safety issues through SIPTU and IBEC safety experts.
"SIPTU regrets that the company was unable to accept any of these proposals or allow its members to work normally while differences were resolved."
