British Gas engineers in deadlocked national dispute over a 15% cut in pay rates and other imposed changes

19 March 2021 Download as PDF

British Gas Strike days 35/38 from 19 to 22 March as workers say imposed changes risk increased dangers for households

British Gas management who don’t know their own workers and seem hell-bent on a reckless gamble that they can bully this workforce into submission says GMB London

GMB members in London and East of England employed by British Gas are on strike for four days from today [March 19] to Monday, March 22 on days 35 to 38 of the national deadlocked dispute over “fire and rehire” imposed 15% cut in pay rates and other changes.

Those who don’t agree to the new terms will be sacked.

This comes as a survey of workers finds that imposed changes will make British Gas ‘less safe’. Thousands of British Gas workers responded to a GMB survey on the planned contract changes with 87% of respondents saying that the reduced times in which to conduct their work would make them less safe.

Strike days 35 to 38 will be followed by a meeting of GMB’s Central Executive Council (CEC), which is the governing body of the union, on Tuesday, March 23.

GMB has repeatedly called for fire and rehire to be taken off the table so they could reach a deal.

Gary Pearce, GMB London Region Senior Officer for Energy said:

"GMB members in London and East of England employed by British Gas are on strike again from 19 March on days 35 to 38 in this deadlocked national dispute over a 15% cut in pay rates and other imposed changes.

“After 34 days of strikes, more than 300,000 homes are in a backlog for repairs and 400,000 planned annual service visits have been axed. “

“The company is misleading the media that it is catching up after 24 hours.

“It is clear that we are dealing with a British Gas management who don’t know their own workers who have repeatedly rejected these imposed cuts. Management seems hell-bent on a reckless gamble that they can bully this workforce into submission “

End

Contact: Gary Pearce, GMB London Region Senior Officer for Energy 078 5003 6952

Notes to editors

Previous press releases from GMB London Region

11 March 2021

GMB London - Gas and electrical engineers will be on strike again from tomorrow in deadlocked dispute

5 March 2021

GMB London - British Gas engineers reject revised offer and go ahead with new strikes

26th February 2021

GMB London - British Gas strike days 23 to 26 go ahead as parent company Centrica announces £700 million profit

8th February 2021

GMB London - 12 more days to follow day 16 strike today at British Gas