BT strike threatens UK broadband & phone connections

A potential walk out of BT staff is threatening to put consumer internet and phone connections in jeopardy as the Communications Workers Union decides whether or not industrial action will take place.

The Union is currently balloting up to 60,000 of its members to decide whether or not to strike. It's looking for a two per cent pay rise for staff by Friday next week. If staff at the telecommunications company do decide to carry out industrial action it will be the company's first national strike for 23 years.

Speaking on the effect this strike could have on home broadband customers across the country, spokesman for the Communication Workers Union (CWU), Kevin Slocombe, told the Metro newspaper: "Many business and residential phonelines could go out of action, and if broadband crashes then thousands and thousands of people will find their internet goes down."

The threat of a strike came on the day it was revealed the company's chief executive, Ian Livingston, received a £1.2 million bonus last year on top of his annual £860,000 salary. It's been speculated additional benefits push his pay package to almost £3m per year.

The CWU's deputy general secretary, Andy Kerr, explained: "This is about fairness. We don't mind senior staff getting bonuses but we want all staff to share in the success of the company."

Of course, if the strike did go ahead and engineers weren't available to fix any faults that cropped up during this time the phone and internet connection of all broadband customers using an ADSL BT line rather than cable would be in jeopardy and it wouldn't just affect BT broadband subscribers.

Depending on the ballot results the CWU spokesman suggested a walk-out could take place in late June.

In response a spokesperson for BT commented: "We are disappointed by the CWU's decision to call a ballot but our door remains open… Our final offer is fair, realistic and more generous than those they have accepted elsewhere."