You simply couldn’t make this stuff up!
Accord’s General Secretary went cap in hand to Lloyds asking for its help in getting his members to vote in its pay ballot. How low could Accord sink? Members will recall when Accord’s General Secretary took to the stand to defend Lloyds in a legal case brought by BTU on behalf of 15,000 low-paid, female clerical staff. That was a low point; this is arguably worse.
And in an unprecedented first, Lloyds is giving staff time off to vote in the pay ballot because it’s concerned the result will have no democratic legitimacy as a result of a low turnout.
If you can’t persuade enough of your own members to vote in your pay ballot it’s because the 2-year pay deal you are trying to ram down their throats at breakneck speed is a rubbish deal. Accord members can’t be bothered voting because they know it’s a done deal. A small cabal of Accord workplace reps will vote through this rubbish pay deal because its Executive is too lazy and scared to take on Lloyds for fear of losing its financial support blanket.
In his communication to Customer Support and Grade A-C staff, Mr. Miles Ravenhill, Community Bank Managing Director, said the Unions:
“…have written out to their members, asking them to vote on the approach. However, there are still large numbers of you still to vote.
It is really important that union members take time to vote.
The Group and our recognised unions have worked collaboratively on our proposed pay approach for 2026, and a result they recommending that members support the proposals.
I’ve asked your Regional Directors to ensure that you are given time……to vote ahead of the deadline.”.
Given the economic uncertainty, which the Chancellor set out yesterday and a forthcoming budget which is likely to result in unprecedented tax increases, why would you rush through a 2-year pay deal for staff in grades A-C when the Bank is only proposing a one-year pay deal for staff in grades D-G? It’s crazy.
It’s a superb deal for Lloyds: it gets certainty in its cost base for the next two-years. If the economic landscape changes drastically in the next two year, which is more likely than less likely, Grades A-C staff are lumbered with a defective pay deal that can’t be changed.
That’s why Accord members aren’t voting. They can see the dangers, even if their Union can’t.
Members with any questions can contact the Union’s Bedford Office on 01234 262868 (Choose Option 1).
MEMBERS SHOULD PASS THIS NEWSLETTER ON TO THEIR COLLEAGUES IN HALIFAX & LLOYDS SO THEY TOO CAN BENEFIT FROM THE ONLY INDEPENDENT TRADE UNION IN LLOYDS BANKING GROUP.