British Gas disgrace as workers are sacked over 'fire and rehire' pay deal
Hundreds of British Gas workers, some with decades of service, have been given their marching orders after a two week grace period to sign controversial new contacts ran out
Hundreds of British Gas engineers have lost their jobs (Image: Asadour Guzelian)
British Gas is under fire after sacking hundreds of engineers who refused new deals.
Former staff told of their fury at being axed over the firm’s “fire and rehire” contracts that cut workers’ pay.
Debbie Tinsley, an engineer for 30 years, said: “What have we done wrong? Absolutely nothing. 30 years of loyal service counts for nothing.”
One axed worker burned his contract.
Hundreds of workers, some with decades of service, have been axed after a two week grace period ran out.
Ms Tinsley posted photos of herself with her British Gas van now and 30 years ago when she joined.
Fellow engineer John Quelch said: “Today I handed my blue van after 19 years loyal service.
“It’s not how I wanted my time at British Gas to end, but because I won’t sign an inferior contract of employment I was given notice.”
David Griffith who today walked away from British Gas (Image: Supplied)
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Another employee told The Mirror he was "heartbroken" after being told to leave despite 17 years of service.
David Griffith said he joined the company in 2004 as an apprentice and has "dedicated his life to British Gas".
“I have been with British Gas for 17 years,” he said.
“I have now officially been fired.
"To be seen as literally just a number when I have given so much more than that to a company which runs through my veins is heart-breaking," he added.
Another said he felt "bullied" into signing the deal: “All engineers were bullied into signing. The pressure just increased the longer you held out," the engineer told The Mirror.
“With each new deadline, more engineers signed up until we got to the very last deadline of 12noon yesterday.”
Yesterday’s deadline comes after months of wrangling over the “fire and rehire” deal.
Another employee told The Mirror he was "heartbroken" after being told to leave despite 17 years of service.
David Griffith said he joined the company in 2004 as an apprentice and has "dedicated his life to British Gas".
“I have been with British Gas for 17 years,” he said.
“I have now officially been fired.
"To be seen as literally just a number when I have given so much more than that to a company which runs through my veins is heart-breaking," he added.
Another said he felt "bullied" into signing the deal: “All engineers were bullied into signing. The pressure just increased the longer you held out," the engineer told The Mirror.
“With each new deadline, more engineers signed up until we got to the very last deadline of 12noon yesterday.”
Yesterday’s deadline comes after months of wrangling over the “fire and rehire” deal.
Debbie Tinsley has lost her job after 30 years' service
Unions accused bosses of “bullying” British Gas’s 20,000 employees for telling them to accept reduced terms or risk the axe.
The row centres on changes to contracts that include pay cuts and increases to hours.
The GMB said the “mass sacking” coincided with British Gas suspending the sale of boiler insurance cover amid scenes of “van graveyards” from vehicles returned by the axed engineers.
Have you lost your job as a result of British Gas's restructuring? Get in touch: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
Unions accused bosses of “bullying” British Gas’s 20,000 employees for telling them to accept reduced terms or risk the axe.
The row centres on changes to contracts that include pay cuts and increases to hours.
The GMB said the “mass sacking” coincided with British Gas suspending the sale of boiler insurance cover amid scenes of “van graveyards” from vehicles returned by the axed engineers.
Have you lost your job as a result of British Gas's restructuring? Get in touch: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
Debbie Tinsley when she started her job
Justin Bowden, GMB Regional Secretary said: “These sacked gas engineers are badly needed by customers to clear the huge backlog of missed planned annual service visits and repairs.
“There is sadly nothing in law to stop corporate bullying by companies of their own staff to sign terms they don’t accept and sacking those who don’t submit to this bullying.”
Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer said: “The whole labour movement stands in solidarity with British Gas workers.
“They’re defending themselves against the shameful practice of fire and rehire.
Debbie is among hundreds of engineers who have been sacked
“British Gas must abandon this practice.
“And the Government must outlaw it.”
Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy said: “It should be illegal for companies to rip-up hard-won terms and conditions like this.”
Justin Bowden, GMB Regional Secretary said: “These sacked gas engineers are badly needed by customers to clear the huge backlog of missed planned annual service visits and repairs.
“There is sadly nothing in law to stop corporate bullying by companies of their own staff to sign terms they don’t accept and sacking those who don’t submit to this bullying.”
Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer said: “The whole labour movement stands in solidarity with British Gas workers.
“They’re defending themselves against the shameful practice of fire and rehire.
Debbie is among hundreds of engineers who have been sacked“British Gas must abandon this practice.
“And the Government must outlaw it.”
Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy said: “It should be illegal for companies to rip-up hard-won terms and conditions like this.”
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