12/12/2005

British Gas engineers on strike

Around 6,000 British gas engineers have gone on strike, in a row over pensions.

The strike, by members of the GMB union, was prompted over plans to close the firm’s final salary scheme to new employees from April 2006.

Five 24-hour walkouts are planned to take place, with further strikes planned for December 19 and 21 and January 6 and 9.

Out-of-hour cover will also be affected by the strike action, which will be suspended between December 12 – 23 and January 4 – 10.

Talks aimed at averting the strikes broke down over the weekend.

On Monday afternoon, there were reports that British Gas had offered to go to conciliation service Acas, in a bid to find a solution to the dispute.

(KMcA/SP)


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