Meter staff in pay loss protest

EDF Energy staff in London, southern and western England will be taking part in a 24-hour stoppage next Wednesday (September 2) following a breakdown in talks over proposals which could see some staff lose up to ÂŁ6,000-a-year in income.

 

Nearly 500 Unite members including meter readers and fixers, office staff and managers will be walking out – hitting the roll-out of a Smart meter installation programme.

 

The move follows the suspension of two 24-hour stoppages earlier in August to allow for talks over proposed pay cuts, job losses and extended working hours to install the meters.

 

“We entered talks hopeful that we could avoid industrial action and are deeply disappointed by the company’s refusal to give concrete assurances on protecting current pay, conditions and hours,” said Unite regional officer Onay Kasab.

 

“Our members cannot stand by and let previous agreements be torn up and their pay, terms and conditions eroded. Some members of staff face a £6,000-a-year drop in income while others face losing their job.

“Management need to stop dodging our members’ concerns and engage properly in meaningful talks.”

 

Unite members had voted by a margin of 85 per cent for strike action and 92 per cent were in favour of industrial action short of a strike.

 

The dispute centres on a list of issues including extended working hours to install Smart meters, but withdrawing the London allowance – which could mean a pay cut of up to £6,000.

Other issues also include no pay awards for staff on personal contracts, despite saying performance pay should be awarded if targets are met; and job losses caused by managers applying for their own jobs and if rejected, facing potential unemployment.