According to the BBC, BT – formerly known as British Telecom – could be heading for industrial action over pay. BT has offered staff a 2% rise, whilst the Communications Workers Union (CWU) is looking for 5%. The CWU represents 55 000 BT staff and is likely to reveal its plans to hold a strike ballot at its annual conference.
BT managers have been asked to provide details of any additional skills they have which could mitigate against the negative impact of any action. Any walkout would be the first since 1985, one year after the former State-owned company was privatised. BT posted a profit of £1bn in the 12 months to 31 March and has reduced its number of employees by 20%, or 35 000, during the last two years.
Source: bbc.co.uk/25.05.2010