Commenting on today's announcement from Barclays on the loss of
5000 jobs worldwide, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
Barclays workers deserve better than this. The company is using
AI as an excuse to discard its loyal and long-suffering
workforce.
Employers should be focussed on upgrading employees' skills so
that they remain employed as new technology changes the
workplace. Instead, Barclays is guilty of taking a short-term,
kneejerk approach. Unite is working with its members to find the
best way forward to reset this destructive announcement.
Unite recognises the need to embrace new technologies as
industries evolve. However, these changes must never come at the
expense of good, meaningful, skilled jobs. The introduction of
new technology must happen with workers, not to workers.
Unite's role is to keep workers' voices at the forefront of this
change. Unite, particularly within the finance sector, has spent
years establishing AI and technology agreements that protect jobs
and working conditions. These frameworks ensure that jobs remain
meaningful, retain human oversight, prevent algorithmic
decision-making, and guard against discrimination. Technology
must benefit workers, not replace them.
Improved efficiencies cannot just be used to pad profits or cut
jobs; workers must share in the benefits of new technology. Such
protections can only be secured through collective bargaining
Unite national officer for finance Rick Coyle said: "Unite is
engaging in urgent and frank negotiations with Barclays. We will
also be offering support and guidance to our members at this
difficult time.
"Barclays needs to put measures in place to upskill and adapt
workers for new technology and that includes AI. As part of the
Financial Service Skills Compact it should not be cutting jobs."
