Royal Bank of Scotland Staff Go on Strike Over Unpaid Scottish Holiday

Strategic Insights -

Staff at the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) went on strike today to protest the bank's decision not to pay them extra for working on the traditional Scottish holiday of January 2. Over a dozen bank employees gathered outside the RBS Glasgow head office in West George Street to demonstrate their grievances. The dispute has been ongoing for five years, with RBS refusing to recognize January 2 as a traditional Scottish holiday.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Royal Bank of Scotland made a profit of £4.4 billion last year, but refuses to pay staff extra for working on January 2, a traditional Scottish holiday.
  • The bank has abandoned plans to provide a limited service on January 2, despite agreeing to do so five years ago.
  • RBS rivals have all stopped providing limited services on January 2, leaving RBS as the only bank still open.
  • Union officials are requesting premium rates or days off in lieu for staff who work on January 2.
  • The bank has stated that only one-third of its 350 branches will be open, staffed by volunteers, for a limited period.
  • The dispute has been ongoing for five years, with RBS refusing to recognize January 2 as a traditional Scottish holiday.

Statistics:

  • £4.4 billion: The Royal Bank of Scotland's profit last year.
  • 120: The number of branches throughout Scotland where RBS staff had to work today.
  • 350: The total number of RBS branches in Scotland.
  • 1/3: The proportion of branches that will be open today, staffed by volunteers.
  • 1997: The year Scotland's banks agreed to provide a limited service on January 2.

Sources:

  • Unifi Finance Union: A Scottish finance union that represents RBS staff.
  • Royal Bank of Scotland: The UK's state-backed bank, which has made £4.4 billion in profit this year.