British Gas staff to vote on Christmas strike
THOUSANDS of british Gas workers are to vote on strikes in a dispute over new contracts.
The GMb union warned that industrial action could be held over Christmas if there is a yes vote, although it has pledged to exempt the elderly and vulnerable from the impact of any action.
The union said in July that british Gas owners Centrica unveiled plans to fire and rehire the entire 20,000 workforce – including about 1000 staff in Scotland – if they didn’t accept changes to their pay and conditions.
An indicative ballot in August showed that 95 per cent of members would be in favour of industrial action if there was a vote.
Justin bowden, GMb national secretary, said: “People don’t like threats and bullying and GMb members are no different.
“We sought to get the threat off the table. The best they were prepared to do was postpone the ultimatum until January.
“This is an insulting response to these essential workers – keeping homes across the nation heated in the depths of winter.”
Centrica said: “We know that change can be very difficult and we are doing all we can to support our people but we urgently need to act now to win back customers, grow our company and protect more jobs in the long run.”