Mick Gallagher has volunteered to become a union rep in Derry to help make AXA a better place to work in and assist members with any workplace issues.

Thanks to Mick for volunteering. We still have a vacancy for one more rep in Derry if is anyone is interested in working with Mick.

After consultation with Unite in AXA, AXA Ireland have agreed that the existing UK recognition agreement be extended to cover the Derry Service Centre in Northern Ireland.

Union reps from Belfast and Dublin will be on site from 31st March, holding a series of organising meetings with staff to explain the benefits of union membership and recruit new workplace reps for the site.

Unite in AXA reps from Belfast and Dublin met with National union reps yesterday and the situation in relation to the Derry Service Centre operation was again discussed.

The operation of a low cost non-union premises is not acceptable. The Derry operation serves to undermine the position of staff in Ireland, both North and South, as there is always a low cost alternative to members jobs. This represents a threat to job security either side of the border.

All agreed on a course of action to try and remedy this situation by bringing Unite representation to the Derry operation. By doing so, we can address the contract differences between the operations and forestall any attempts by the company to use Derry as a threat to drive changes in terms and conditions throughout the island of Ireland.