BT asks for Ballot Delay
BT has called on the Communication Workers’ Union to delay a strike ballot and return for more talks. This comes after an official said that the union could compromise on pay. The company has been offering a 2% pay rise, along with a 3% rise next year, as well as additional one-time payments and job guarantees. However, the workers have been demanding a pay rise of 5%.
The Communication Workers’ Union sent out a ballot to its over 50,000 BT workers on Friday. A spokeswoman for the Communication Workers’ Union said that they are prepared to meet BT if they improve the offer on the table. Talking to media, she confirmed that the ballot was sent out on Friday, asking the workers to vote in favor of strikes over the pay dispute.
However, the union’s deputy general secretary said that they are willing to organize a long strike if they have to, but they may be able to compromise on the pay increase. BT said that they are surprised by the Communication Workers’ Union telling the media that they are willing to compromise on the 5% pay increase, as they have never formally offered an alternative proposal. Due to this, they call on the union to delay the workers’ ballot and return to formal talks with the company. Industrial action is not necessary, they continued, and will only benefit their competitors, so they look forward to a new proposal.
If the workers favor a strike, it will be the first industrial action at BT in 23 years. The ballot is set to close on July 5, or in two weeks.