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".
