BT and Openreach workers strike over pay dispute
They're asking for a 10% pay increase
The summer of strikes continues in Aberdeen today with BT and Openreach workers on the picket lines over a pay dispute.
More than 40,000 employees are expected to strike today, across the UK.
They're asking for a 10% pay rise to match inflation, however workers across the company have only been offered an extra £1,500 per year.
That's despite CEO Phillip Jansen taking a 32% rise, taking his yearly pay up to £3.5 million.
"We've had a pay increase imposed on us at a flat rate of £1,500 which doesn't come anywhere close to covering inflation costs are obviously 10%", says Mark Graham.
He's a Fibre Engineer as well as Chairman of the Communication's Workers Union (CWU) in Aberdeen.
"It (the proposed pay rise) just doesn't cover the work we do to provide service across the country.
"The company has made huge profits and we've basically worked through the entire pandemic.
"So we're classed as key-workers, and the CEO (Phillip Jansen), at the same time we can't get a pay rise, has received a 32% pay rise, taking their wages up to £3.5 million, with a wage increase of £800,000."
Actions speak louder than words
Graham added that, despite being regularly commended by the company for their work, it's not being reflected in their wage.
"We've been commended by our CEO saying what a fantastic job we're doing, that we're doing really well and we're providing a great service.
"But at the end of the day, platitudes and thanks don't pay bills.
"Striking is the only option for workers.
"When you have a company that decide that they will impose pay rises on you without consultation, if you accept that, then that's going to be your future.
"And workers will then always be treated with contempt, I believe.
"So it's not an easy decision, but people are losing money."