HSBC customers have been hit by industrial action. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Industrial action at HSBC is being stepped up, with the Malta Union of Bank Employees instructing members not to turn up for work between today and Tuesday.

This is the latest in a string of directives including a communications ban, no overtime and a sit-in strike that have negatively affected thousands of families and businesses since March 27.

The dispute is over collective agreement proposals, going back to last August, that include salary increases and a reduction in home loan interest rates for bank employees, among others. Countless clients have complained of long queues, restricted services and the inability to cash cheques.

The withdrawal of cash from ATMs, however, will be available throughout, as their replenishment does not depend on bank staff but on third parties. MUBE president William Portelli said the latest directive, subject to developments, was issued after HSBC threatened to “lock out” employees on Thursday.

Most employees, he said, were telling the union to get tougher when discussing daily practice with the management as “very chaotic” changes were being undertaken at HSBC.

MUBE felt management should bargain fairly and be practical with all staff categories across the board and not just on financials. No tangible counter-proposal that could be deemed to be fair was received yet from HSBC, Mr Portelli said.

“MUBE has learnt a lot from these actions because feedback also confirms that the workforce is, on quite a few occasions, subjected to too much pressure. In particular areas, pressure at the workplace is sometimes intolerable. The worrying factor is that people are afraid to talk and they want the union to press on such issues as much as on financials.

“The claim is that the workforce is being ignored and when one decides to talk, one is just told to shut up. Claims by the employees clearly suggest that they cannot be treated in such a manner,” Mr Portelli said.

An HSBC spokesman said the bank advised customers that multifunctional ATM service remained available 24/7 in all branches and offsite locations (85 across Malta and Gozo).

Loans, pensioners’ cheques and emergency cash withdrawals via tellers were available at the Paola, Valletta and Sliema branches (during opening hours) as well as in branches the bank keeps open during the industrial action.

HSBC reiterated that while arrangements were made to minimise the impact on customers, the bank regretted the union’s action and remained open to a negotiated solution that would be in the best interest of the bank’s employees, customers and shareholders.

The bank continued to provide its employees with a very competitive total compensation package, the spokesman said.

“We apologise for any inconveniences caused as a result of the industrial action and we will endeavour to minimise such inconveniences,” he added.

The president of the National Association of Pensioners, Moses Azzopardi, urged the two parties to swiftly reach a solution. “For people who live on benefits and pensions, a delay of even a few days can greatly affect them,” Mr Azzopardi pointed out. “Such people would need to cash their cheques at their very earliest. If the problem is not solved by next week, we will hold a meeting to see how we can proceed.”

The €35 top-up to the cost-of-living increase promised in the Budget was deposited to people’s accounts on Saturday, he said. Those eligible, who comprised those who did not benefit from the income tax reduction, needed to confirm the deposits were made.

Lorna Schembri complained of the poor service offered to the detriment of clients.

“My husband’s pay was deposited on Friday instead of on Monday. Yet, we are still expected to settle our loans and will incur a penalty if we miss the deadline.

“I understand the need for industrial action but it should be ensured that customers are not that adversely affected,” she said.