British Gas engineers walk out again in pay row

BRITISH Gas engineers have launched a series of fresh strikes in a deadlocked dispute over pay and conditions.

Members of the GMB union walked out yesterday for four days, and will take further action in the next few weeks, taking the total number of stoppages to 42 since the row started.

The strikes will be held from March 12 to 15, 19 to 22 and 26 to 29 after the engineers overwhelmingly rejected a revised offer from the company.

GMB national officer Justin Bowden said: “More strike days will go ahead at British Gas after gas and electrical engineers overwhelmingly rejected a revised offer because the company didn’t take fire and rehire off the table.

“The company needs to understand its fire and rehire plan is the big obstacle to members accepting a deal – they must withdraw it now.

“More than 250,000 homes are in a backlog for repairs and 350,000 planned annual service visits have been axed.

“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.”

British Gas has denied the union’s figures on the repairs backlog, and said it is focusing on dealing with emergencies and calls from vulnerable customers.

The company said the changes it is planning are aimed at saving jobs. A spokesman for British Gas owner Centrica 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’ll continue to prioritise vulnerable customers and emergency situations.”