Barclays staff to be balloted for industrial action
17th July 2009
Unite members will be balloted for industrial
action over Barclays' decision to close its final salary pension
scheme.
Unite members are incensed at the pension
proposals which would result in the total closure of the Barclays'
pension scheme. In a consultative ballot, 92 per cent of staff said
they wanted to be balloted by Unite on industrial action.
The union will hold the ballot in August, with
potential strike action taking place across the bank in September.
The industrial unrest would significantly impact the operations of
Barclays and the service thecompany provide to its customers.
Derek Simpson, Unite joint general secretary,
said: “It is unacceptable that Barclays is proposing this
unilateral change to workers' pensions. Unite members will not
stand by as their employer rides roughshod over their retirement
security.
“The long-serving and dedicated workforce view
this pension proposal as a betrayal by their employer. Consultation
with our members has shown the depth of anger over the pension
issue. Over 90 per cent of Unite members are demanding a ballot for
industrial action over this action by their employer.
“The forthcoming ballot within Barclays will
send a strong message to private sector employers across the
economy. Unite will not accept businesses using the economic
downturn as a means to erode the important terms and conditions of
members.
“Unite has proposed viable alternatives to
Barclays in order to make the cost savings the company argues are
essential for the pension scheme to be viable. The company has
failed to engage with the union on these suggestions. We would urge
Barclays to go back to the drawing board in order to avert damaging
strike action.”
Unite represents over 25,000 members within
Barclays. Unite members work across all of Barclays, from: bank
branches, processing centres, call centres, computer centres,
Barclaycard centres and the offshore Islands and Gibraltar.
ENDS
For more information contact: Saba Mozakka,
Unite press officer on: 020 7420 8916 or 07768 693 953
