Greater Manchester's 999 call handlers are preparing to go on strike this week, prompting warnings over potentially "serious disruption" to the region's emergency services.
The emergency workers will walk out on Thursday (October 6) alongside BT Group colleagues in the Communication Workers Union. For previous strikes, it was agreed between the union and the company that emergency service workers would be exempt, and that a certain number would be available to work at any given time.
However, 999 call handlers have now voted to join their BT colleagues amid outrage at the company's refusal to negotiate with union representatives. As well as this Thursday, members of the Communication Workers Union plan to walk out on Monday 10, Thursday 20 and Monday, October 24.
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Union bosses have warned that the strikes could cause "serious disruption" to emergency services across the country. No North West Ambulance Service call handlers have joined the walkout, the Manchester Evening News understands.
The latest wave of strikes include the 30,000 Openreach engineers and 10,000 BT call centre workers who have taken action in previous months in opposition to BT Group management imposing a flat-rate pay rise of just £1,500. The CWU says the offer represents a "dramatic real-terms pay cut" amid soaring inflation levels.
The striking workers look after the vast majority of Britain’s telecoms infrastructure, from mobile phone connection, broadband internet and back-up generators to national health systems, cyber security and data centres.
CWU General Secretary Dave Ward said: “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 cost of living and are being stretched to the limit. Good will won’t pay the bills, and vital services are now being hampered because of corporate greed.
“BT management clearly has no appreciation of its workforce, or their social value. But this union does, and we will keep on fighting this company’s attempt to plunge its workers into even further hardship.”
CWU Deputy General Secretary Andy Kerr added: “It is downright disgraceful that BT Group’s refusal to treat its members with an ounce of dignity has come to this.
“Time and time again, we have asked for negotiations to resolve what may well be a dangerous dispute for many, only to be ignored by a senior management that could not be less interested in addressing the anger that exists in their workplaces.
“This is a problem created by corporate greed – and as usual, its effects will be felt by ordinary people. But BT Group workers are determined and united. They will fight hard to get the proper pay rise they deserve.”
A BT Group spokesperson said: “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.
“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”.
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