Last week people across the UK took part in a second “Clap for Carers” tribute, saluting NHS staff and other key workers dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Delivery drivers, supermarket staff, bank staff, care workers and bin collectors were among those honoured by the nation.
Front-line staff working in organisations like M&S, Tesco, Aldi, Asda have all been given ‘thank-you’ bonuses ranging from 10% to 15%. Morrisons is giving its staff a one-off bonus of £1,050. Each of BT’s 100,000 employees is to be given shares worth £500. Front-line staff in the TSB and all those working in bank sites who are taking the greatest risk coming into work are some of the lowest paid staff in the bank. A one-off bonus, for example, worth at least 15% of salary for the period of this crisis seems only fair for these front-line staff.
TSB’s Executive Committee should get its cheque book open now.
We will also be writing to the Chancellor asking him to guarantee that bonuses paid to key front-line staff in essential businesses are free from tax and national insurance.
Members with any comments or issues they would like us to deal should contact the Union’s Advice Team on 01234 716029 (choose Option 1).