Barclays staff in pension protest

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Barclays sparked outrage among staff in June when it announced it was closing the scheme to nearly 18,000 existing members.

Chief executive John Varley said the move was necessary because the current scheme had become "untenable" after its £200 million surplus became a £2.2 billion deficit in the space of a year.

The Unite union has announced plans to ballot its members at Barclays for industrial action, warning that strikes could be held this autumn.

Workers will hold up placards saying Hands Off Our Pensions when they stage a protest outside a meeting on Thursday to approve the sale of Barclays' fund management arm to New York-based BlackRock.

Staff will hand out leaflets to shareholders detailing their opposition to the pensions move.

Unite national officer Keith Brookes said: "Barclays staff are protesting outside the meeting of shareholders to make it clear that they are incensed by the decision to close their valued pension scheme. Our members will not accept this decision by the bank to erode their pension arrangements.

"The union has serious concerns as to why Barclays is choosing to take this action against their hardworking and loyal staff. Shareholders must recognise that the possibility of strike action will be very damaging for the bank.

"Unite wants shareholders to ask the bank why they would embark on this battle with their workforce at a time when they are working so hard to deliver fantastic service to their customers, despite the difficult economic climate."

Unite said it welcomed the near-£3 billion profits announced earlier this week by Barclays, but added it was "appalled" by the bank's "grasping" attitude to workers.