BT staff pencil in further strikes over ‘insulting’ pay deal

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) is organising further BT and Openreach strikes over the coming months.

Around 40,000 Openreach engineers and BT call centre staff undertook strike action last month over “weak, insulting” below-inflation pay rises.

“Workers will not accept a massive deterioration in their living standards,” said Dave Ward, General Secretary of the CWU, last month.

“The serious disruption this strike may cause is entirely down to...

15 August 2022 | Broadband

BT staff begin strike action over below-inflation pay rises

BT staff have begun strike action across the country in a row over below-inflation pay rises.

UK RPI inflation has reached 11.7 percent and is set to increase further later in the year. Many employers have offered pay rises to help ensure their staff aren’t left substantially worse off at the end of each month.

BT, for its part, offered its staff a £1,500 pay increase to help with the cost of living crisis. However, it’s been called a “weak, insulting” pay deal...

29 July 2022 | Broadband

Over 40,000 BT staff to strike at the end of July

A telecoms union has confirmed that over 40,000 BT staff will go on strike at the end of July due to below-inflation pay rises.

Earlier this month, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) warned that it would move forward with plans to strike over a “weak, insulting” pay deal unless BT put a better offer on the table.

BT offered a £1,500 pay increase for employees. With RPI inflation levels hitting 11.7 percent, it’s been labelled a “dramatic real-terms pay cut”...

18 July 2022 | Broadband

BT staff to strike after ‘weak, insulting’ pay deal

BT employees will go on strike following a “weak, insulting” pay deal that fails to counter the impact of high inflation.

Earlier this year, BT offered a £1,500 pay increase for employees. With RPI inflation levels hitting 11.7 percent, it’s been labelled a “dramatic real-terms pay cut”.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) – a union for all BT Group employees – voted by 95.8 percent to take strike action. Call centre workers will join 30,000 Openreach...

4 July 2022 | Operators

BT inks deal with Ericsson to provide commercial private 5G networks

BT has inked a multi-million pound deal with Ericsson to provide commercial private 5G networks in the UK.

The agreement – the first of its kind in the UK – will combine BT’s expertise in building converged fixed and mobile networks with Ericsson’s 5G network technology and enterprise solutions.

Katherine Ainley, CEO of Ericsson UK & Ireland, said:

“This groundbreaking agreement with BT means we are together taking a leading role in ensuring 5G...

31 May 2022 | 5G

Telecoms union pressures BT for inflation-countering pay rises

Britain’s largest telecoms union is rejecting BT’s flat pay rise offer of £1200, which would leave employees worse off this year.

UK inflation is rising at its fastest rate for 30 years as fuel, energy, food, and other costs increase. The Bank of England expects inflation to reach around eight percent over spring and “it could go even higher later this year”.

Many employers are increasing employees’ salaries more than originally planned to help with the...

30 March 2022 | Broadband

Truphone part-owner Roman Abramovich among sanctioned oligarchs

Truphone part-owner Roman Abramovich is among the latest Russian oligarchs to be sanctioned by the UK today.

Abramovich made the bulk of his wealth from selling assets following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The assets were acquired far below market value in Russia's controversial loans-for-shares privatisation initiative.

Between 2000-2008, Abramovich was the governor of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. He is allegedly a confidant of former Russian president Boris Yeltsin...

10 March 2022 | Legislation & Government

Openreach is creating 4,000 new jobs, follows record female engineer recruitment

Openreach has announced that it will create 4,000 jobs during 2022, following a year when it recruited more female engineers than ever.

The new recruits will assist Openreach in delivering full-fibre connectivity to premises up and down the UK. Openreach says that it’s currently on track to reach 25 million homes and businesses by December 2026.

Clive Selley, CEO of Openreach, said:

“Openreach is a people business first and foremost, so I’m proud that...

10 February 2022 | Broadband

Truphone will use EE’s network after signing deal with BT

UK-based MVNO Truphone will use EE’s network after signing a five-year deal with BT Wholesale.

Truphone’s customers will benefit from EE’s network which, according to independent tests, is the best overall in the UK for coverage and speeds. At present, Truphone is operating on O2’s network.

Ralph Steffens, CEO of Truphone, said:

“We’re incredibly excited to partner with BT Wholesale, the clear market leader in the UK, on this important relationship...

1 February 2022 | Networks

Altice fuels takeover concerns as its BT ownership increases to 18%

BT Tower

Altice, the telecoms group of French billionaire Patrick Drahi, has increased its ownership of BT to 18 percent from 12.1 percent.

Drahi’s growing interest in BT has fuelled concerns amongst the company’s leadership and the UK government, with a Downing Street spokesperson stating the “situation is being monitored carefully”.

The French billionaire, known for being a prolific dealmaker, shocked the industry in June when his company paid £2.2 billion for a 12.1...

16 December 2021 | Legislation & Government