BT avoids strike after ballot cancelled

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) has called off its ballot for industrial action at BT for legal reasons.

CWU blamed the decision on what it labelled "restrictive" trade union laws in the UK that could make the ballot void.

The union, which had sent out ballot papers last month after a pay dispute with the communications giant failed to be resolved, said it had received numerous letters from BT over the last few weeks that effectively amounted to a legal challenge.

Now the body will look to re-ballot as soon as possible if further negotiations with BT fall through.

"We're bitterly disappointed that this ballot has had to be cancelled. It's devastating for our members and for trade union rights in the UK and of course it doesn't help to resolve the outstanding issues over pay which we have with BT," said Andy Kerr, CWU deputy general secretary.

"The legal technicalities on which this ballot has been cancelled again raise questions over the right to strike and the extremely restrictive trade union laws that exist in the UK. The law, in our view, appears to be outdated when it comes to the provision of information," he added in a statement.

The CWU believes its members are owed more than the two per cent wage rise this year that was initially offered by BT, while the communications firm has stressed its offer is fair.

A BT spokesman told IT PRO that the firm is pleased CWU has decided to cancel the ballot.

"There were procedural issues regarding the ballot that we raised from the start and the union have now accepted this to be the case," he said.

"An amicable agreement is in everyone's interest and the withdrawal of the ballot provides both sides with a window of opportunity in which to reach such an agreement."

The spokesperson noted that BT is still not willing to meet the five per cent wage rise for this year that CWU wants, but the communications firm is happy to explore other avenues.