Staff at the Bank of England are striking for the first time in half a century - in a move that could last for three days. Talks broke down after members of Unite protested the imposition of a “derisory” below-inflation pay offer, claiming that Mark Carney, Bank of England Governor, is to blame for lack of resolution – The Guardian reports.
Unite official Peter Kavanagh said: “The Governor of the Bank of England must take responsibility for the fact that his dedicated workforce is having to make their concerns heard from a picket line.
“The result of the Bank’s failure to negotiate with staff is that the Bank of England now faces its first strike action in over 50 years.
“Unite members from the maintenance, parlours and security departments have been left with no choice but to take industrial action because they are facing another year of having to endure a pay cut imposed upon them.”
A bank spokesman also commented, adding: “The union balloted approximately 2% of the workforce. The Bank has plans in place so that all essential business will continue to operate as normal during this period. The Bank has been in talks with Unite up to and including today and remains ready to continue those talks at any time.”
Protestors have gathered outside the bank’s HQ, with Kavanagh commenting that they have been “left with no choice but to take industrial action”.
