We all know that with inflation our gas and electricity prices are going through the roof, but what about elsewhere? Communication is absolutely essential in most modern businesses, so how could you be affected?
BT workers are set to strike for two days later this month, related to their pay dispute with openreach and BT plc. In a message to members, the Communication Workers Union said they intend to “take further industrial action in support of our trade dispute with BT plc and Openreach Ltd over pay”. The industrial action will be for a 48-hour period commencing 00:01 on Tuesday 30th August 2022 and finishing at 24:00 on Wednesday 31st August 2022”.
Earlier in the year the CWU requested a 10% pay increase for workers but BT instead offered a £1,200 pay award in March that was then upped to £1,500 which they paid into workers accounts with getting approval from the Union. BT claimed this was as good as a 5%-8% pay increase.
The CWU pointed out that current CEO Philip Jansen took a 32% pay increase taking his pay up to £3.2 million. General Secretary of CWU, Dave Ward said “We’re not just looking at strike action, we are also looking to keep the pressure up politically and we’re going to be organising that shareholders meeting and we’ll come and talk to you fairly soon about that.
“Their position of not negotiating is not sustainable, we already know from back channels… that the company understands now that they can’t just keep facing away from the reality of this dispute, they can’t keep alienating their workers.”
In a statement sent by a BT spokesperson they said “We know that our colleagues are dealing with the impacts of high inflation and, although we’re disappointed, we respect their decision to strike. We have made the best pay award we could and we are in constant discussions with the CWU to find a way forward from here. In the meantime, we will continue to work to minimise any disruption and keep our customers and the country connected”.
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