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

11 March 2021 Download as PDF

British Gas engineers strike days 31 to 34 Friday 12 To Monday 15 March as part of further 12 days to end of month

After 30 days of strikes, more than 270,000 homes are in a backlog for repairs and 400,000 planned annual service visits have been axed says GMB London

GMB members, employed by British Gas in London and East of England, will take part in a further four days of national strike action from tomorrow Friday 12 to Monday 15 March in the deadlocked dispute over “fire and rehire” cuts to pay and conditions.

These will be days 31 to 34 in a dispute that began on 6 January. See below notes to editors for links to previous GMB London press releases.

These new strike days by gas and electrical engineers, part of the Field staff bargaining group, will be part of a further twelve days of strike action. These will take place from March 12 to 15, 19 to 22 and 26 to 29.

Talks reopened at ACAS during the dispute. The company put forward a revised offer but refused to rescind the “fire and rehire” notices. This revised offer was rejected by members of the Field staff bargaining group by nearly 4 to 1.

After 30 days of strikes, more than 27,000 homes are in a backlog for repairs and 400,000 planned annual service visits have been axed.

Messages of solidarity and financial support have flooded into GMB from all parts of the labour movement across London and East of England.

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

“Gas and electrical engineers in London and East of England will be on strike again from tomorrow in this deadlocked dispute over ‘fire and rehire’ cuts to pay and conditions.

“British Gas did reopen talks at ACAS and did revise its final offer to the Field staff bargaining group. But the company refused to rescind the ‘fire and rehire’ notices. The offer was overwhelmingly rejected.

“The ‘fire and rehire’ notices are a big obstacle to a deal – British Gas must rescind them now.

“After 30 days of strikes, more than 270,000 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.

“The behaviour of British Gas bosses is hurting workers, customers and ultimately company shareholders.”

GMB’s executive has determined action could continue to mid-April in this deadlocked dispute.

End

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

Notes to editors

Previous GMB London Region press releases:

5 March 2021

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

26th February 2021