Tens of thousands of BT workers will go on strike for the first time since they were privatized under Margaret Thatcher.
Approximately 30,000 workers and 9,000 call center staff at Openreach voted against what they described as “injustice” and “unsustainable” wage transactions.
However, the ballots of staff working at BT’s subsidiary Mobile EE failed to reach the statutory standard of 50pc.
BT provided staff with an average salary increase of 5pc. Some of its minimum wage workers are offered an increase of 8 pc.
Dave Ward, Secretary-General of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), said BT must submit a “significantly improved” proposal by next week. Otherwise the strike date will be set.
He states: The BT Group thought they could escape with the treatment of bullying – they were wrong. “
A BT spokesman said:
“At the same time, we are in the middle of a generational investment program to upgrade the country’s broadband and mobile networks.
“These investments are essential to the interests of millions of customers and the UK economy. Above all, they are central to the success of this business (and its colleagues) now and in the future.
“Our job is to balance the competing demands of BT Group stakeholders, which requires careful control, especially in a difficult economic environment.”