The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Ultimatum for protesting gas engineers
F beenife gas engineers embroiled in Centrica’s “fire and rehire” row have given until Thursday to sign new contracts or face the sack.
Workers staged a lastditch protest in Leven against “bullying” on the part of the energy giant, which owns British Gas and Scottish Gas.
Around 20,000 employees across the UK face being sacked then rehired on significantly reduced terms and conditions.
The move affects 4,500 Scottish workers, including service and repair engineers and central heating installers.
One Fife employee said those who signed the contract would have to work longer hours but would end up £8,000 to £12,000 a year worse off.
“I don’t know how they’re getting away with it,” he said.
“It’s just bullying and I’ve never felt so low.”
The Fife engineers have held protests at Windygates roundabout every Friday and Monday since January.
A deal offered by the company was rejected by 79% of workers and is also bitterly opposed by trade unions.
More than 250,000 homes across the UK are already in a backlog for repairs as a result of the strikes.
A further 350,000 planned annual service visits have been axed.
GMB national secretary Justin Bowden said: “The company needs to understand its fire and rehire plan is the big obstacle to members accepting a deal.
“They must withdraw it now.”
He added: “The behaviour of British Gas bosses is hurting workers, customers and ultimately company shareholders.”
Glenrothes SNP MP Peter Grant labelled the fire and rehire process “exploitative” and said it should be banned.
He said Centrica’s threat was particularly unacceptable given the ongoing Covid pandemic.
His colleague Gavin Newlands MP has submitted two Bills to parliament calling for the process to be made illegal.
But despite receiving cross-party support, the
government has refused to back it.
“Beyond the warm words for workers, there has been no action from the prime minister to actually protect them from this exploitative practice,” Mr Grant said.
A Centrica spokesman said: “Our business needs to change to survive and protect 20,000 UK jobs.
“We have plans in place to manage industrial action, but we’re sorry for
any disruption this is causing to our customers.
“We will continue to prioritise vulnerable customers and emergency situations.”
The company added that it has offered “a fair deal”, negotiated over 300 hours with unions – where base pay and pensions are protected.
More than 80% of employees have already agreed to the new terms, they said.