Accord reps standing up for members in Glasgow - credit David Gordon

Reps' meetings

More than 200 reps participated in our latest round of reps' meetings. Here’s a round-up of the important issues discussed.

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Ged addressing the reps in Glasgow - credit David Gordon
Ged addresses the reps in Glasgow
Credit: David Gordon

Accord reps: speaking up for members on the issues that matter

Over 200 reps took part in our latest round of meetings. In conversation with union officials and representatives of the bank, reps highlighted the issues that matter most to members, as well as gathering information to take back to their branches and sites.

Reps are the lifeblood of Accord, connecting our negotiators with members in branches, workplaces and in their homes. And our regular meetings are an opportunity for reps to meet each other, to get updates on the work of the union, and to put member’s questions and concerns to union officials and business leaders.

At the meetings, General Secretary Ged Nichols kicked off proceedings with an update on the 2024 and 2025 pay deal, and reps took the opportunity to ask questions about the deal and other industrial relations issues.

The meetings were taking place in the shadow of the leaked announcements of major changes at Lloyds Banking Group, with over 3,000 roles affected. Many reps had questions about this news and Ged acknowledged the uncertainty and anxiety it was causing, particularly in the run up to the Christmas period.

Other questions covered issues from the use of AI by the business, to the application of hybrid working policies, to lack of training being offered to branch staff who have been redeployed to telephony.

Speakers from LBG address reps - credit David Gordon
Chris Easterbrook, Stephen Clifford & Neil Magill address reps
Credit: David Gordon

Speakers from Lloyds Banking Group

At Accord, we believe that reps should get regular opportunities to put their questions direct to representatives of Lloyds Banking Group. This ensures that senior leaders get an unfiltered account of what’s happening in branches and sites. At each of the meetings, we invited representatives of the business to join us for a Q&A with reps.

Although we pride ourselves in supporting positive and respectful relationships with the employers, the questions reps asked were challenging and forthright. They focused on:

  • the changes to LBG’s platforms approach to business transformation;
  • the bank’s communication with staff about business changes;
  • hybrid working and requirements for in-person attendance;
  • violence and abuse in branches; and
  • the on-the-ground functioning of new processes like Banking Made Easy.

In Glasgow, Stephen Clifford, the Bank of Scotland’s Area Director for Glasgow and South West Scotland, expressed his appreciation for reps’ contributions, saying:

It was great to listen to their views. I love spending time talking to people in a face-to-face environment. It allows you to hear what’s happening on the ground straight from the people that are living it and experiencing it each day. Lots for me to take away, especially around Banking Made Easy, just to make sure we’re not getting lost in translation between what we’re meant to be doing and what’s actually happening on the ground. I’m definitely going to pick that up with some of the reps next week when I’m back in the business.

The issues raised by reps at these meetings will continue to inform Accord’s discussions with LBG. Thanks to all the reps who attended meetings and made sure their colleagues’ voices were heard.

What reps say

Today was really interesting. It was quite enlightening to hear from other people in different parts of the business and about their concerns, and to hear what’s being done about it and perhaps what’s not being done about it. It was good to feel that there was a level of accountability, in that we got to hear from representatives of the bank. It was livelier than I expected and great fun.

Iona McCallum, Edinburgh

I didn’t really know what to expect and it was quite eye-opening. I’m from telephony so getting the branch input is quite interesting. Day-to-day there can be an attitude of us and them. So, it’s nice to see that it’s not actually that way and to hear diverse perspectives. There’s lots of different sides to each story. It’s been a good experience.

Ryan Stuart, Dunfermline

It’s been very good, very interesting. It was well-structured and I got lots of information from it. I think the issue around pension contributions is a big one. I’m not sure people realise that if you contribute more, you get more from the employer, so I’ll maybe be promoting that. I don’t know what I was expecting but there were a lot of topics covered and it was all very useful.

Julie Combe, Edinburgh

I wasn’t sure what to expect but it’s been interesting. Good to hear that concerns in our branch are being mirrored in other places.

Euan Willie, Galashiels

The meeting was really informative. As a branch-based colleague it’s good to know that other branches are in the same boat. I can say to my colleagues that we’re not the only ones facing challenges [with Banking Made Easy] and that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Shelly Holden, Largs
Glasgow reps - credit David Gordon
Delegates asking questions - credit David Gordon
Ged making reps laugh - credit David Gordon
Delegates making notes - credit David Gordon
Speaking to reps - credit David Gordon
Delegates smiling - credit David Gordon