LettersBritish Gas is driving down our wages to boost profits – Socialist Worker

British Gas workers are facing huge paycuts(Pic: Annasmith1986/WikCommons)

Im writing on behalf of my colleagues from British Gas. British Gas sells energy and mechanical services.

The energy side is failing and the heating installation side is the most profitable, so theyre taking money from here to bail out energy.

To do this theyve created a new schedule of rates (SOR) for every heating installation contractor.

Previously an hourly rate meant every install was a tailored price, which was quite fair.

The new rate means cuts of between 25 and 35 percent. For example, a job that would have been 300 is now around 200. This will have a huge impact on workers livelihoods. The customer is still being charged the same. So British Gas is making even more profit.

For some people, British Gas has been a career. A lot of contractors are ex-British Gas and many have been there 10-20 years, feeling like employees and part of the family.

Its us that give customers confidence that they have an experienced person in their home. We are the face of British Gas.

These cuts have been so drastic that a lot of contractors are considering moving on or cutting their hours. New labour may come from agencies or recently qualified engineers, leaving concerns over safety and quality. Contractors across Britain have discussed a strike and the GMB union is looking into the unfairness of the pay cut.

British Gas threatened to close contractors diaries unless they agreed to the new contract.

Some reluctantly agreed, feeling they are held over a barrel.

But many are refusing to agree and will simply walk out.

A joint contractor email was sent to management but they have not responded.

British Gas has a cheerful advertising campaign with the motto, Were with you!

But it is considerably less so with its own workforce.

A British Gas worker

Some years ago Theresa May famously wore a T-shirt reading, This is what a feminist looks like.

Yet she has awarded former cricketer Geoffrey Boycott a knighthood.

Boycott was convicted in May 2000 by a French court of assault on his then partner Margaret Moore in 1998.

Her bloodied and bruised face is there for all to see in photographs of the assault.

Boycott was given a three-month suspended sentence and a measly fine.

Labours Dawn Butler, shadow minister for women and equalities, has correctly demanded that Boris Johnson immediately withdraw the knighthood.

Everyone should flood politicians and the media with complaints.

Boycotts knighthood sends a horrific message to thousands of women who suffer violent abuse at the hands of men they know.

Added to this is the drastic reduction in funding for refuge support services under years of Tory austerity.

It is not possible for any Tory to claim any sort of feminist values. Feminism cares about women and children.The Tories do not.

We have a government of perpetrators of all forms of oppression.

We must have a general election and vote for a Labour government lead by Jeremy Corbyn, who has more feminist values than any Tory woman!We must take to the streets to end Tory rule.

Liz Kitching

Leeds

Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnells proposals for a Right To Buy for Private Housing Tenants has caused a debate.

Most people do not understand the principles and the purpose of this proposal.

Recently I became aware of situation where a disabled persons housing benefit had covered enough to buy the property outright.

The propertys disrepair was shocking. But the persons benefit entitlement had also covered enough money for repairs.

This person would benefit from McDonnells proposal. Housing associations have the right to buy property.

However, why would they do so and then pay for all the repairs?

At the moment all power lies with the landlord.

McDonnell should go furtherand ensure immediate ownership to the social housing sector.

Mark Porciani

Glasgow

It is good to see Socialist Worker reporting on the desperate state of the social care system (Social care is on the brink, 4 September).

The system has suffered many years of systematic privatisation and underinvestment.

Age UKs Caroline Abrahams is right to note that one of the consequences is that older people are more and more left to fend for themselves. This is also a huge problem for many disabled people.

Abrahams welcomed a report by Guy Standing on piloting a Universal Basic Income at its launch earlier this year.

But sadly she celebrated the worrying idea that a basic income would allow people to care for family members.

Throwing even more pressure back on the family to provide care would further undermine the right of people to access professional social support. It would leave people at the mercy of their families personal circumstances.

A serious approach is needed, not fantasies about what small cash transfers and a reheated version of David Camerons big society can achieve.

Mark Dunk

South London

One of your guys gave me a paper at our CWU union gate meeting in Hove last week.

I just wanted to say thanks for that and for coming to support us.

I will buy the next edition now to support you.

Post worker

Brighton

An election right now would be an act of

self-harm for Labour.

Youre in an echo chamber if you think it wouldnt be.

Gemma Cade

On Facebook

Tony Horne

On Facebook

Paul Harris

On Facebook

While passing through Stansted airport on the first day of Ryanair's second pilots strike, I was struck by the large number of Ryanair planes flying as normal.

Workers unity is their greatest weapon. They need to be at least as broadly organised as their employers.

National unions will be increasingly powerless against multinational capital unless they develop international links.

John Shemeld

Nottingham

The media, a right wing propaganda machine, sensationalises knife and gun crime to promote fear and racism.

They heighten the idea that crime is out of control. Then the government says it will increase police numbers.

The real criminals are those who justify a system of inequality and war.

Lambski

Bournemouth

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LettersBritish Gas is driving down our wages to boost profits - Socialist Worker