The Communication Workers Union (CWU) have launched a nationwide strike in response to what they say is underpayment from BT and the Royal Mail in particular.
Amidst this cost of living crisis, this has driven some of the workers into having to resort to using food banks in order to put food on the table for themselves and their families.
With bills soaring, they say their current wages simply do not suffice.
The strike has seen workers for BT, Open reach and the Royal Mail take action, and also has lead to 999 operators taking a stand. It’s gone as far as to cause BT bosses to man the 999 phones as cover.
According to CWU member and Open Reach employee Chris, around ‘98%... of people wanted to take industrial action’ in a ballot. This ‘overwhelming’ figure has lead to the strikes currently underway.
According to Chris, the union were offered a one off payment of ‘around 14-15 hundred pounds’ in April, however this wasn’t enough.
‘We want a decent pay, cost of living is going through the roof, our wages are not going anywhere’ said Chris, ‘We want a settlement, a decent settlement, to help us live’.
The issue isn’t just short term, with Chris expressing his fears coming into the winter due to rising energy bills, he fears he may not even be able to heat his own home.
‘We need to do something today’.
According to Sky News, a BT group spokesperson has spoken out about the reckless actions taken by the CWU, stating they are ‘disappointed’ in the group, but still acknowledges the struggles facing their employees.
Despite the disruption facing the work line, they maintain that "In the meantime, we will continue to work to minimise any disruption and keep our customers and the country connected."
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