Fire and rehire remains the main obstacle to a potential settlement from the talks at ACAS, says GMB London

GMB London and East of England British Gas engineers will strike for the 23rd day tomorrow as parent company Centrica announces adjusted operating profits of almost £700 million.

Preliminary results for the year ending December 2020 [1] shows that Centrica recorded £699 million in adjusted operating profits, and a £52 million statutory profit compared to an £849 million loss in the previous 12 months.

Around 7,000 British Gas engineers will down tools for four days from Friday, February 26 until Monday, March 1 over the company’s plan to sack them all and rehire them on worse terms and conditions.

These are strike days 23 to 26 of the ongoing dispute. See notes to editors below for copies of previous GMB London press releases.

Talks between GMB and British Gas have taken place at ACAS, but GMB says the company’s refusal to withdraw it fire and rehire plan remains the main obstacle to a potential resolution.

The field staff bargaining group rejected the fire and rehire cuts in December and has already taken part in 22 days of strike action.

Gary Pearce, GMB London energy officer , said:

“Last summer, when British Gas decided on fire and rehire pay cuts for gas engineers, it was already a profitable company – as today’s results confirm.

“So there is no need to hurt workers, customers and shareholders. Refusing to take fire and rehire off the table is the main obstacle to a settlement at ACAS.

“Strike days 23 to 26 will go ahead at British Gas from tomorrow and GMB’s executive has determined action could continue to mid-April in this deadlocked dispute.

“After 22 days of strikes, more than 230,000 homes are in a backlog for repairs and 300,000 planned annual service visits have been axed.

“The company is misleading the media that it is catching up after 24 hours.”