The General Workers’ Union said yesterday salary increases for bank employees will be delayed after the Malta Union of Bank Employees decided to take to an industrial tribunal the case for joint recognition.

The GWU’s Professionals, Finance and Services Section, which has asked for joint recognition, said the bank could have organised a vote to confirm the employees’ membership.

The bank could have given joint recognition, the section said, so in view of this, it would retain its existing stand of having an industrial dispute with the bank.

At the same time, as there was no dispute about the majority in the non-clerical grades, the section would continue negotiating a new collective agreement for them.