Inverness members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) picket in the city centre as part of UK-wide strike
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A PICKET was organised in Inverness as part of a countrywide strike action against a telecom giant.
Around 10 BT workers and members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) gathered today in Inverness on Church Street braving the rain to ask for better pay conditions in line with the rising cost of living.
Steven Swanson (57), from Inverness, has been working in telecommunications for 40 years and he was one of the organisers of today's picket.
He said: "We gathered today to ask for a proper payrise from BT.
"During pay negotiations with the company, BT proposed a rise of £1500, which is not in line with the rising cost of living crisis and inflation, especially as our CEO Philip Jansen received a £3.5 million salary this year.
"We are looking for something that tells that we are valued by our company.
"The weather didn't help with numbers but there was good support in Thurso and Elgin as well."
He added that they will be taking action again on Monday next week, the 8th day of strike this year.
The picket is part of one of the biggest strikes of the year which sees with Royal Mail, BT and Openreach workers from all around Scotland and the UK walking out over pay and conditions.
A BT Group spokesperson said: “We know that our colleagues are dealing with the impacts of high inflation and, whilst we respect the right of colleagues to take industrial action, we are profoundly disappointed that the CWU is prepared to take this reckless course of action by including 999 services in strikes.
“We will do whatever it takes to protect 999 services – redeploying our people to the most important priority is a normal part of BT Group operations.
“We made the best pay award we could in April and we have held discussions with the CWU to find a way forward from here. In the meantime, we will continue to work to minimise any disruption and keep our customers and the country connected”.
