This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7737123.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Protests at shareholder meeting | Protests at shareholder meeting |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Union members have protested outside a meeting of Lloyds TSB shareholders to voice concern over possible job losses. | Union members have protested outside a meeting of Lloyds TSB shareholders to voice concern over possible job losses. |
| Shareholders are meeting at the SECC in Glasgow to vote on the bank's controversial planned takeover of Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS). | Shareholders are meeting at the SECC in Glasgow to vote on the bank's controversial planned takeover of Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS). |
| They will also decide whether to accept £5.5bn of government bailout funding. | They will also decide whether to accept £5.5bn of government bailout funding. |
| Leaders of the Unite union said they remained neutral on the proposed deal, but were determined to prevent any compulsory job losses. | Leaders of the Unite union said they remained neutral on the proposed deal, but were determined to prevent any compulsory job losses. |
| Wendy Dunsmore, national secretary with Unite, said: "Unite is the voice of both Lloyds TSB as well as HBOS staff and what we're campaigning for is no compulsory redundancies and also no off-shoring, which would lead to more job losses." | Wendy Dunsmore, national secretary with Unite, said: "Unite is the voice of both Lloyds TSB as well as HBOS staff and what we're campaigning for is no compulsory redundancies and also no off-shoring, which would lead to more job losses." |
| Competition rules are being ripped up to allow this to happen Tavish ScottScottish Lib Dem leader | |
| Ms Dunsmore criticised Sir Peter Burt and Sir George Mathewson for mooting the possibility of a state-owned independent HBOS - even though proponents argue this would safeguard more jobs. | Ms Dunsmore criticised Sir Peter Burt and Sir George Mathewson for mooting the possibility of a state-owned independent HBOS - even though proponents argue this would safeguard more jobs. |
| She said: "They've got no money and no deal on the table - I think it's quite irresponsible to make that type of statement when they've got nothing to show for it." | She said: "They've got no money and no deal on the table - I think it's quite irresponsible to make that type of statement when they've got nothing to show for it." |
| She said the union had called for a meeting with Lloyds TSB bosses. | |
| "They have given the shareholders an idea that they're looking to save £1.5bn with this takeover," she said. | |
| "We want to meet with the company immediately to explore how they're going to do that. | |
| "We want them to explore all avenues so there's not going to be compulsory redundancies and people's livelihoods ending because of this takeover." | |
| Remain independent | |
| Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott also staged a protest outside the meeting. | Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott also staged a protest outside the meeting. |
| The Lib Dems urged shareholders to vote against the planned takeover of HBOS, claiming it jeopardised jobs, branches and competition in the banking sector. | The Lib Dems urged shareholders to vote against the planned takeover of HBOS, claiming it jeopardised jobs, branches and competition in the banking sector. |
| Mr Scott said: "This, as the Lloyds TSB chairman says, is a fantastic arrangement for that particular bank, but it's not a great deal for the thousands of staff who may lose their jobs. | |
| "It's certainly not a great deal for the account holder or the small business who need to access better banking services. | |
| "Competition rules are being ripped up to allow this to happen and I don't think that's in the long-term interests of our economy either." | |
| Meanwhile, the SNP has tabled another motion in the Commons calling for HBOS to remain independent, rather than be taken over by Lloyds TSB. |