Scots 999 workers are set to strike this week, with warnings of serious disruption to emergency services now in place.
The emergency call handlers are within the same union as BT workers, Members of the Communication Workers Union. In previous strikes, it was agreed between the union and the company that emergency service workers would be exempt from the strike, and that a certain number of workers would be available to work at any given time.
However, following widespread outrage at the company's refusal to negotiate with union representatives 999 call handlers have now voted to join their BT colleagues.
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Members of the Communication Workers Union will be walking out on Thursday October 6, with further strikes planned for Monday 10, Thursday 20 and Monday, October 24.
These 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’s imposition of an incredibly low flat-rate pay rise of just £1,500.
With inflation levels already hitting 11.7 per cent this year, this is a dramatic real-terms pay cut.
The workers on strike 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 said: “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.”
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