Derek Simpson, Joint leader of Unite will meet finance workers in
Leeds today and ask the workers - How far are we from fully
nationalising the banks?
14 January 2009
Derek Simpson said: "They caused the credit crunch, we've had to
bail them out. But they're still not lending and businesses across
the country are struggling to stay afloat because they can't get
access to credit.
"Yesterday Barclays announced 2000 job cuts with probably more
to come. Staff at HBOS and Lloyds TSB have been left in the dark
about their future job prospects, thousands of jobs could go.
"The banks have spectacularly failed and today the government
are having to step in to guarantee up to £20bn of loans to small
businesses to help them survive the economic downturn.
"Is it not time for a total overhaul of the institutions that we
can not survive without? These same institutions have displayed
such stunning irresponsibility that they failed the world."
Derek Simpson continued: "Finance workers across Yorkshire are
not the cause of the credit crunch and we will be doing everything
in our power to ensure they do not become the victims.
"As taxpayers we now have a significant stake in the country's
banking system. We are urging the government to set an example and
take an active, interventionist approach to ensure fairness and
security for banking staff and an end to rewards for failure in the
boardroom."
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo 07768 931 315
