First Trust Face £2m Payout

A judge has ruled against First Trust Bank’s appeal over bonuses and pay rises, they now face a payout of £2m.

The ruling by senior judges in Belfast on Monday is expected to result in increased wages for hundreds of workers.

A claim that bosses could unilaterally change terms of employment was rejected by the Court of Appeal judges, despite the bank claiming that general economic hardship meant it should not have to pay the claims sought.

It is understood that call centre staff and clerical workers at First Trust branches were denied performance-related bonuses and increments for up to three years.

At an industrial tribunal last year the bank argued there was no contractual need to make the payments. The financial difficulties of AIB Group, First Trust’s parent company, were also stressed.

After the tribunal ruled against First Trust the case was brought before the Court of Appeal.

(H)