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Around 500 engineers are thought to have lost their jobs earlier this month after refusing to sign revised contract terms with British Gas in a dispute over changing working practices
Hundreds of British Gas engineers lost their jobs with the company on 14 April after refusing to sign revised contract terms following months of industrial action.
British Gas’ parent company Centrica has argued that those choosing not to sign the contract terms – claimed to be less than 500 people - ultimately represented a small proportion of its total workforce compared to these agreeing to the terms as it looks to restructure its operations and working practices.
GMB union betrays British Gas strike as deadline passes and hundreds are dismissed
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GMB union betrays British Gas strike as deadline passes and hundreds are dismissed
The deadline for British Gas engineers to sign a fire and rehire contract including a longer working week and a 15 percent pay cut came into effect at midday, Wednesday April 14.
The outcome of the dispute at British Gas has major implications for the entire working class. Research has shown that 1 in 10 workers have been forced to reapply for their job on inferior pay and terms since the start of the pandemic. The dispute at British Gas is the first attempt by a major company to impose fire and rehire contracts on its workforce nationwide.
The GMB union has condemned the “mass sackings” of engineers on Wednesday amid a long-running dispute with Centrica over pay and conditions.
The BBC reported almost 500 British Gas engineers lost their jobs after refusing to sign new contracts which the union claims will cut pay by 15%.
British Gas owner Centrica told the broadcaster around 2% of its staff had chosen not to sign the new contracts, though it reportedly refused to give precise numbers as they could still change.
GMB said strike action will continue, with Wednesday marking the 43rd day of industrial action this year.
It added that the strikes have led to a huge backlog of services and emergency repairs.
Mass sacking at British Gas as 500 engineers lose job amid contract row
Nearly 500 British Gas engineers lost their jobs yesterday after refusing to sign new contracts which will reportedly cut their pay by around 15 per cent.
British Gas owner Centrica told various media last night that around 2 per cent of its staff had chosen not to sign the new contracts, though it refused to give precise numbers as they could still change.
“We are modernising the way we work to give our customers the service they want and protect the future of our company and our 20,000 colleagues,” a spokesman for Centrica said earlier.
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