Mr Ward clarified: “They do all the maintenance on Britain’s broadband services, but they also keep up with the national infrastructure, from the NHS to the Ministry of Defense and the mobile phone masts.”
Mr Ward added: “BT Group is now providing gas lighting to our members.
Announcing hundreds of millions of pounds of profit on the eve of the first national strike since 1987 smacks of arrogance and complete disregard for frontline workers.
“BT workers will have hundreds of picket lines across the UK tomorrow and will support the CWU in carrying out mass strike action.
“This dispute is squarely at the feet of Philip Jansen [BT’s chief executive]. He represents everything that needs to change about big business in Britain.
“Our members kept the country connected during the pandemic. They deserve a decent raise, and they’re getting it.”