Date: Thursday 30 July 2015

British Gas jobs announcement ‘Harsh blow to loyal workforce’ says UNISON

Energy union UNISON has described British Gas plans to shed thousands of jobs as a ‘harsh blow to a loyal workforce’.

The union are responding  are responding after being informed by managing director of British Gas Mark Hodges, that Centrica/British Gas intends to axe around 6000 posts between now and 2020. The majority of these are likely to be gone by the end of 2017.

The company provided little detail but indicated that they intended around half of the job losses to be compulsory redundancies.

UNISON Scotland, Regional Organiser Janet Stewart said:

“This is a bitter blow especially considering the efforts made by British Gas staff in recent years. Our members have been very loyal to the company, providing excellent services to customers whilst under great external pressure and despite the absence of systems that are fit for purpose. We expect that loyalty to be repaid. If the company needs to restructure, it should not be on the backs of the poorest paid.

We made it clear this morning that we are absolutely opposed to compulsory redundancies. We are willing to engage constructively with the employer but are prepared to consider all of the options available to us.

We will also have many questions we will be raising with British Gas about how promises made to customers about investing in customer facing roles and delivering improved customer service can be delivered if staff are to be shed in such numbers.”  

For further information contact
Janet Stewart, UNISON Scotland Regional Organiser  07958 121120
Lindsay McNaught UNISON Scotland Branch Secretary 07835109691

ENDS

Index