Thousands of Cadent gas workers are to go on a 48-hour strike later this month in a dispute over pay.
Around 2,000 members of the GMB Union will down tools for two days on Monday (May 30) and Tuesday (May 31). Union bosses have warned that the industrial action could lead to some outages at homes and businesses across England, including the North West.
The strike is taking place as deals over pay and conditions reached a halt. Workers rejected a below inflation pay increase of 2 per cent for 2021 and 4 per cent from July 22. GMB bosses say that, with inflation running at 11.1 per cent, the deal amounts to a ‘massive real terms’ pay cut.
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Cadent reportedly made an operating profit of £901 million in 2021, while CEO Steve Fraser was paid £1.4 million in 2020/21. The company’s Australian owners MacQuarie are currently in plans to buy National Grid’s gas transmission and metering business for an estimated £4.2 billion.
“GMB members have had enough,” Gary Carter, the union’s National Officer, said. “They are determined to stick together and fight for what's right. They deserve better pay. In recent years Cadent has cut the pay of new starters, who can't survive on such low pay. Bosses trumpeting they've raised rates to £10 per hour – but that’s nothing to be proud of. It's poor pay for skilled work.
“Cadent Gas pays its chief executive £1.4 million a year and makes big profits from taxpayers for its Australian owners MacQuarie - It can afford to pay its workers properly. Cadent is out of touch with its workers and out of touch with the cost-of-living crisis. Bosses need to get their heads out of the sand and start listening to workers.”
Cadent bosses have reassured customers that a safe and reliable gas network will continue throughout the strike action. The company said it has offered staff a 6.08% pay rise over two years, whilst also making changes to employee terms and conditions following feedback.
Martin Rimmer, Chief of People at Cadent, stated: “We are disappointed that an agreement was not reached with the GMB regarding the balanced whole package pay deal we have offered our operational field force. We would like to assure our customers that we will continue to provide them with a safe and reliable gas network throughout any action."
Cadent says GMB members have 'not taken into consideration the whole pay package' being offered, which they say would have seen qualified engineers earn an average of more than £50,000. Mr Rimmer added: “Despite the rejection of the pay deal, we have implemented the pay increase to our lowest paid to a minimum of £10 per hour, ensuring that they are paid above the Real Living wage. We believe this is the right thing to do.
"Whilst all of our colleagues will receive a 6.08% pay increase, the impact of the £10 an hour minimum wage means that 37.5% of colleagues on our new contract will receive more than a 13.9% pay increase over the two years from June 2021, if the pay deal is accepted. This is in addition to the £750 lump sum payment made in January 2022 to our field force and staff colleagues. It is disappointing that an agreement could not be reached on the fair pay deal and the broader package offered to colleagues.”
