The Bank of England will be hit by its first strike action in more than 50 years following the failure of talks to resolve a dispute over pay.
The conciliation service, Acas, hosted negotiations between the Bank and Unite union with the aim of averting the action.
A four-day strike was due to begin on Monday but the first day was suspended to allow the talks to take place.
The union said the dispute centres on the imposition of a below-inflation 1% pay pot increase for maintenance, parlours and security personnel.
It said those eligible for a salary increase were at the mercy of their line manager’s discretion.
Unite said a protest to be held outside its Threadneedle Street headquarters in the City on Tuesday would see striking staff wear Mark Carney masks.
Union 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.”
A Bank spokesperson responded: “The Bank has been informed that industrial action called by Unite will commence at midnight tonight for three days.
“The Union balloted approximately 2% of the workforce. The Bank has plans in place so that all essential business will continue to operate as normal during this period.
“The Bank has been in talks with Unite up to and including today and remains ready to continue those talks at any time.”
The final day of the action is slated to take place on so-called “super Thursday” – when the Bank makes its latest interest rate decision and delivers an updated inflation report.
Source: Sky