Kent Engineers Rally on A249 Ahead of End to 22 Days of Strikes
Storm Over Fire and Rehire Sparks Four-Day Walkout
Engineers based in Kent hit the A249 in Maidstone on Monday morning, rallying support from passing drivers heading to the M20. Their four-day strike by 7,000 service engineers wraps up Monday night, marking 22 days of industrial action since the dispute erupted last year.
Strike Talks Hit Deadlock Over Fire and Rehire
Last weekend’s planned stoppage was paused to allow fresh Acas-led talks. But the GMB union insists a deal won’t happen unless Centrica scraps its controversial fire-and-rehire plans.
GMB national secretary Justin Bowden blasted the firm, saying: “GMB entered into these Acas-brokered talks in good faith, but a deal is only possible if the company takes its fire-and-rehire plan off the table.”
Backlog and Cancelled Visits Hit Hard
Bowden warned the strikes have already delayed repairs for over 210,000 homes and cancelled 250,000 planned annual service visits.
Next Walkout Set for February, Further Action Approved
The union has also scheduled another four-day strike starting February 26, with further industrial action lined up through spring.
Centrica declined to comment, citing the confidential nature of ongoing talks with GMB through Acas.
