A union has been accused of “reckless” action after announcing 999 call service workers will join fresh strikes in a row over pay. The union hit back claiming the call handlers were using food banks and accused telecoms bosses of putting lives at risk by "failing to listen" to workers.
Communication Workers Union (CWU) members at BT and Openreach will walk out on October 6, 10, 20 and 24. The action will include tens of thousands of Openreach engineers and BT call centre workers who have walked out in previous months.
But a BT Group spokesperson said they made the best award they could in April - a payrise of £1,500 worth around 5% and 8% for the lowest paid employees, adding that it was the highest increase in 20 years. They said including 999 service workers in the strikes - an expected 400 - was "reckless".
"We know that our colleagues are dealing with the impacts of high inflation and, whilst we respect the right of colleagues to take industrial action, we are profoundly disappointed that the CWU is prepared to take this reckless course of action by including 999 services in strikes," said the spokesperson. "We will do whatever it takes to protect 999 services – redeploying our people to the most important priority is a normal part of BT Group operations.
"We made the best pay award we could in April and we have held discussions with the CWU to find a way forward from here. In the meantime, we will continue to work to minimise any disruption and keep our customers and the country connected.”
BT said they won't be reopening the pay review but is "committed to further dialogue". The union previously agreed that 999 call handlers would not strike, to avoid putting pressure on emergency services.
The latest decision was not taken likely said CWU general secretary Dave Ward. "This dispute is modern Britain in a nutshell: lives are at risk because a company’s top brass won’t listen to workers.
"This decision was not taken lightly, but our union’s repeated attempts to initiate discussions was declined by a management who clearly believe they are above negotiating a fair deal for people who make massive profits for them. 999 operators are using foodbanks, they’re worried about the bills and are being stretched to the limit.
"It’s no surprise that the goodwill of workers has run dry, and that services will now be hampered. BT management clearly has no appreciation of their workers’ value – but this union does, and we will keep on fighting this company’s attempt to plunge its workers into even further hardship.”
