Sacking highly skilled and experienced workers because they won’t submit to reckless corporate bullying ultimate measure of failure of Mr O’Shea
GMB British Gas members will strike for the 43rd day on Wednesday, April 14 – the new date they face mass sackings if they don’t accept imposed pay cuts of 15 per cent and other changes.
Engineers were sent termination letters this week by British Gas CEO Chris O’Shea informing them they would be dismissed on April 14 rather than the original date of April 1.
No explanation was offered for the change in dates.
In July, British Gas announced engineers who refused to ‘voluntarily accept’ imposed 15 per cent cuts in pay rates and other changes affecting the time they spend with their families would be sacked.
GMB members at British Gas have already taken 42 days of strike action against the pay cuts and fire and rehire notices.
In addition, an official national lockout dispute between British Gas and GMB will become effective from April 14 and will include further strike action and action short of a strike.
Justin Bowden, GMB National Secretary said:
“Sacking his own highly skilled, qualified and experienced workers on April 14, because they would not submit to his reckless corporate bullying is the ultimate measure of failure from Mr O’Shea.
“There are no legal checks on this forcing of signatures under duress.
“The British Gas workforce are united in utter disgust and anger against the Centrica senior management team led by Mr O’Shea. This disgust and anger will be manifest across the country on April 14.
“This dispute is far from over. It brings to mind the old adage that ‘any fool can start a war’.
“There is still time for Mr O’Shea to take the new date off the table.”
