Union boss: No industrial action at Republic Bank

However there was no nationwide shutdown of Republic’s operations as alleged by certain media reports nor was industrial action the cause of Friday’s temporary closure of some bank branches, primarily in South Trinidad.

Cabrera said he was unaware of any directive being given by the union for workers to initiate industrial action at Republic Bank.

He explained that the fact that a worker may be absent from work at any time does not necessarily imply that industrial action is the cause.

The BIGWU leader said negotiations between the union and the bank’s management for a new collective agreement are ongoing and what may have happened last Friday could be symptoms of workers’ frustrations since no agreement has been reached as yet.

Cabrera added that the union and the bank’s management will be meeting tomorrow and the situation should become clearer then.

Republic Bank managing director David J Dulal-Whiteway apologised to customers for any inconvenience caused by last Friday’s events and gave the assurance that the bank would continue to provide them with "excellent customer service."

Bank officials said no industrial action occurred at any of its outlets last week and operations at all branches would be normal tomorrow.