Bank of England staff strike over pay for first time in more than 50 years

The Bank of England's first strike in more than 50 years is underway after the breakdown of talks aimed at resolving a dispute over pay. Members of the Unite union working in departments including maintenance and security have walked out for three days from today. The union, which is protesting at the imposition of a below-inflation pay rise, blames Governor Mark Carney for the failure of last ditch talks held at the conciliation service Acas. A protest is  being held outside the Bank's headquarters in the City of London, with wearing Mark Carney masks, and mounting a picket line. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell joined the demonstration. Unite is accusing the Bank of imposing a "derisory" below inflation pay increase for the second year running.

Up to a third of staff will get no pay rise this year, according to the union. Unite official Peter Kavanagh said: "The Governor of the Bank of England must take responsibility for the fact that his dedicated workforce is having to make their concerns heard from a picket line.
"The result of the Bank's failure to negotiate with staff is that the Bank of England now faces its first strike action in over 50 years.