Unite reaction to bank bonus announcement
17th February 2009
Derek Simpson, Unite joint general secretary, said: “Unite
welcomes the acknowledgement from the government that staff at RBS,
and across the financial services sector, are not the culprits of
the financial crisis and must not face cuts in their pay
packets in a desperate attempt to satisfy the hunger of the
pack. To punish workers for the actions of senior bankers
represents a demand for a pound of flesh from the wrong people.
“Unite will continue to fight to defend employees in banks and
call centres up and down the country to ensure that low paid staff
do not suffer for the greed of bank bosses. Staff are among the
victims, not the culprits of the financial crisis. Our
members at RBS are not, as is often suggested, the executives
earning hundreds of thousands of pounds in bonuses.
“Many of the staff on the front line of the financial services
sector earn salaries of as little as £12,000 per year. They are not
those in the City of London earning mega bonuses. Union members
rely upon the small annual bonus payment, they have been promised,
to supplement their low income and pay their family debts.
“RBS employees are hard working and their on-going dedication,
despite the continued difficulties in the financial services
sector, reflects the professionalism of the workers at the
bank.
“The union recognises the difficulties caused by the current
economic turmoil across the financial services industry and the
direct impact this has had on RBS. Let's be clear, front line staff
did not cause the credit crunch and we will not allow them to pay
the price for it.”
ENDS
For further info contact: Saba Mozakka, Unite Press Office on:
020 7420 8916 or 07768 693 953.
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