LONDON (Reuters) – Thousands of BT workers voted in favor of a strike on Thursday to demand better pay conditions, as disputes over working conditions mount in several sectors of the British economy.
A strike – which would be the first in 35 years for the British telecoms operator – would have “serious consequences” on infrastructure, including access to high-speed internet, said the union of workers in the British communications sector. (CWU).
For the union, the pay rise granted this year by BT to its frontline workers, which amounts to 1,500 pounds (1,742 euros), an increase of 3% to 8%, is “incredibly low” and insufficient in view of the rising cost of living.
BT said the pay rise was the biggest given by the group in more than 20 years.
British inflation stood at 9.1% year on year in May, reaching its highest level since March 1982, which pushed employees in various sectors, such as those in transport, education or hospital, to go on strike.
(Reportage Sachin Ravikumar and Paul Sandle; French version Camille Raynaud, edited by Sophie Louet)
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