Thousands of HSBC employees around the UK will walk out today for a 24-hour strike in a dispute over pay.
Strikers will hand out packets of peanuts to shareholders at the bank’s AGM in London, symbolising their anger at an imposed pay deal.
Branches will also be hit in the biggest industrial action against a leading bank for more than eight years.
The Amicus trade union claims 10% of staff will receive no pay rise this year and a further 45% will be given an increase below the rate of inflation.
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However, HSBC said it had awarded a record pay and bonus pay-out of £164m to its staff.
The bank said it expects most of its 1,500 branches to remain open despite the action.