BT pays up to end strike threat

9th Jul 2010 12:43

BT has agreed a 9.3%, three-year pay deal with its engineers, call centre and other workers ending the prospect of a series of potentially crippling strikes.The deal, backdated to the start of 2010, runs for 39 months and covers the London Olympics and BT's proposed roll-out of a new broadband network."This is a fantastic deal for our members, providing a fair rise in their basic pay this year and for the following two years. This deal is among the highest pay settlements in the country this year, recognising the contribution of staff and BT's success over the last year," Andy Kerr, deputy general secretary of the Communications Workers Union said.The union had called for possible strike action following BT's initial offer of a 2% pay rise for this year and 5% for next year, but was forced to cancel a ballot this week after the company threatened legal action over possible rule breaches."This agreement is good for BT, its employees, shareholders and customers," BT chief executive Ian Livingston said."Although our ballot for strike action was ultimately withdrawn, we believe it played a major part in getting BT back to the negotiating table with a significantly improved pay offer." Kerr added.