‘Deeply irresponsible’

Unite, which represents staff at Barclays has vowed to fight job cut plans announced by Barclays today (January 22). The bank has informed some 300 staff at its Millshaw site in Leeds that they will lose their jobs.

Unite has expressed anger at the bank as it informs staff that the Leeds site will close in 2021 causing devastation.

The 300 staff who have today been informed that they face compulsory redundancy are from the customer relations, virtual channels and the technology and business change  operations. This is in addition to the large number of contractor and agency staff also being asked to leave the business.

“Barclays decision to cut 300 of its Leeds workforce is deeply irresponsible,” said Unite regional officer Christian Ratcliffe. “Unite the union has opposed these compulsory redundancies every step of the way and continues to call for the bank to reconsider.

“Unite has made it clear to the bank that these plans will significantly damage both the business and the customer experience.

“The number of employees at this key Barclays strategic site was 1,500 back in 2014, and the announcement today will leave less than 600 permanent employees in Millshaw. Employees will be devastated.

“Unite is also calling on Barclays to urgently identify an alternative local site following the news that the lease on the current building will end in 2021.

“Unite is holding meetings with members on site over the coming days in order to seek the views of employees and support the impacted employees.”