British Gas strike Leicester February 2021, photo Steve Score

British Gas strike Leicester February 2021, photo Steve Score   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

British Gas engineers will continue their strike on 14 April, the new deadline set for signing new contracts being forced on workers using ‘fire and rehire’.

It will be the 43rd day of strike action by GMB members who face an imposed pay cut of 15% and other changes.

Engineers were sent termination letters by British Gas CEO Chris O’Shea informing them they would be dismissed on 14 April rather than the original date of 1 April, with no explanation offered for the change in dates.

In July, British Gas announced engineers who refused to ‘voluntarily accept’ 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.

An official national lockout dispute between British Gas and GMB will become effective from 14 April and will include further strike action and action short of a strike.