BRITS have been warned of the possibility of “blackout chaos” as power grid workers threaten to strike.
Unite, the UK’s second largest union, announced that around 1,300 UK Power Networks staff are being balloted over potential walk-outs, with a decision expected tomorrow.
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Industrial action could potentially lead to blackouts in the affected regions in March as striking workers would not be on hand to repair any unplanned outages.
A Unite spokesperson told the Mirror: “The workers maintain and repair the power network so if there’s an outage when the strikes are on there will be a delay in fixing it.”
The union accused UK Power Networks, which operates electricity distribution across the South East and London, of “rampant profiteering” amid a cost of living crisis.
They added that workers were angry that the company had offered them a below-inflation pay rise this year, despite being “obscenely profitable”.
UK Power Networks has reported profits of £2.4 billion since 2019.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said: “UK Power Networks’ rampant profiteering when people’s homes are freezing due to astronomical energy bills is a perfect illustration of why the UK’s economy is broken.
“And just because our members work on the power grid doesn’t mean they are exempt from the sky-high electricity bills that have helped plunge the country into crisis.
“Putting forward a pay offer our members could accept would barely make a dent in UK Power Networks’ obscene profits. The company can afford to pay and must do so.”
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A spokesperson for UK Power Networks said: “We have long supported our employees and recognise their key role in our success.
“Most of our employees have received above inflation pay increases over recent years and a current formal offer tabled of around 18% (based on current forecast inflation rates) covering 2022/2023 has been made. Negotiations with Unite and our other recognised Trade Unions are ongoing.
“We hope to avoid strike action, however we are making plans to ensure our network remains resilient in the event Unite press ahead with strike action.”
Unite disputes the 18 per cent claim and says that a seven per cent rise was “imposed” on workers in the first year.
Around 98 per cent of their members voted in a consultative to reject the deal offered by the company.
