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)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

27 May 2005
HSBC staff take strike action over pay
Amicus trade union expects widespread disruption across HSBC services as thousands of staff take part in a 24-hour strike over pay.
10 May 2012
Public Sector Workers Begin 24-Hour Strike Action
A 24-hour UK-wide strike action is underway in a dispute between public sector workers and the government over changes to their pension scheme. Hundreds of thousands of public sector workers have to taken to the streets in protest over changes that unions say will leave their members paying more and working longer for lower pensions.
22 August 2005
Rolls-Royce strike begins
Workers at a Rolls-Royce factory in Bristol are beginning strike action on Monday, in protest at the sacking of a union official. Rolls Royce sacked Amicus union representative, Jerry Hicks, last month. The union claimed that Mr Hicks was dismissed from his job because of his trade union activities.
28 February 2005
HSBC reports massive profits hike
Global bank HSBC has reported a massive increase in pre-tax profit of $17.6 billion (around £9.2 billion) in 2004 - a 37% rise that is the biggest recorded by any UK-based bank. The company's sales also rose by 23% to $50.59 billion (around £26.
22 July 2005
Over 400 Rolls Royce staff walk out
Rolls Royce chiefs and unions are to hold talks after an unofficial strike by staff at its factory in Bristol. 400 workers walked out after Amicus official Jerry Hicks was sacked over allegations of misconduct.