BT Strike

Berkshire customers are expected to be affected as BT staff across the borough prepare to strike over pay disputes.

The telecoms company has failed to reach a salary rise agreement with the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents about 40,000 of the company’s 100,000 workforce.

Those striking are predominantly made up of BT Openreach engineers and call centre workers who claim the company has chosen to “stick two fingers up” at employees.

Strikers will be picketing at telephone exchange locations across the borough, including Barnsdale Road in Reading, Market Place in Bracknell, Wellington Street in Slough and West Street in Maidenhead.

The walkouts will take place on Friday July 29 and Monday August 1, which will leave customers unable to get an engineer call out or speak to a customer services representative over the phone.

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “For the first time since 1987, strike action will now commence at BT Group.