Northern Gas Networks emergency services strike planned

More than 700 gas emergency workers could go on strike because of extended working hours.

According to the GMB union, workers at Northern Gas Networks (NGN), which fix gas leaks across the north of England, have voted to strike because of workplace problems which they believe pose “a serious risk to public health”.

NGN boss Mark Hornsley said the union’s threat was based on a vote in which “almost two-thirds of our field staff chose either not to vote at all or to vote against”.

He said the company takes employee welfare “incredibly seriously” and is determined to resolve the dispute.

GMB organiser Andrew Aldwinkle said the workers simply wanted “decent working conditions and the safety of the public”.

He said fatigue was a serious problem for employees and “a clear danger when working with escaping flammable, toxic gases.”

He also said that people who contracted Covid-19 were not receiving sick pay and many felt forced to work “even in places like care homes”.

The union said its members had raised the problems with management but were ignored.

The aim is to improve continued payment of wages in the event of illness, overtime pay, annual leave and a reduction in weekly working hours.

Mr Hornsley said the company had an “industry-leading position on limiting working hours” and the union was demanding “unacceptable proposals”.

He said the company’s employees have received an average salary increase of nearly 30% over the past four years.

GMB said strike dates would be announced in the coming days.