12/05/2005

HSBC staff vote in favour of strike action

Workers at leading bank, HSBC, have voted in favour of strike action over a pay dispute.

Trade union Amicus have warned that if the strike goes ahead, it will take place on May 27, the same day that the bank holds its annual general meeting.

Amicus called for strike action after HSBC imposed a pay deal, which they say, is below inflation and cut staff bonuses. The union claims that the new pay deal will leave up to 10% of workers with no pay rise this year and a further 45% will get an increase that is below inflation.

Amicus also claims that a new worker starting at HSBC can expect to earn only 28p more than the new minimum wage.

The union is also opposed to a new bonus scheme, which it says will particularly prejudice longer-serving staff, because it will not be calculated on salary.

In February this year, HSBC announced record profits of £9.6 billion.

Amicus National Secretary Rob O’Neill said that HSBC had “lost the hearts and minds of their staff”. He said: “This result is unprecedented for a group of workers who are not naturally predisposed to strike action. This is a clear mandate which we hope will send a message to HSBC that they need to return to the negotiating table to avert a potentially damaging strike - the ball is now firmly in HSBC’s court. We are urging HSBC to work with us to resolve this dispute.”

(KMcA/SP)

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