Workers vote in favour of strike action

THOUSANDS of field force workers at gas giant Cadent will begin industrial action today.

Despite nearly 2,000 GMB union members voting to walk out in a strike ballot last month, GMB is only calling on members to take part in an overtime ban from today.

The overtime ban includes stopping working additional hours and members will withdraw from pre-planned overtime to cover gaps in rosters and sick leave.

The union warns the industrial action could potentially cause outages at homes and businesses throughout five regions in England; North West, East and West Midlands, East Anglia and North London.

Workers resoundingly rejected a below inflation pay increase of two per cent for 2021, and four per cent from July 22.

The union said with inflation running at nine per cent, the deal amounts to a massive real terms pay cut.

Gary Carter, GMB national officer, said: “Despite members voting overwhelmingly for strike action, as a gesture of goodwill members will begin with a short term overtime ban.”