Rotherham Socialist Party Support the GMB Union and Striking Engineers.

Last night, Del Mansell of the GMB (General Municipal Boilermakers" Union) representing striking British Gas Engineers in Rotherham, spoke at our meeting to outline what they were striking about, how the campaign was going and to answer any questions about how they could be supported.

What he told us about what British Gas were trying to do beggared belief, and he was quick to point out that if the company were succesful, it would not be end with British Gas; other companies are certainly watching, waiting to implement similiar policies.

Engineers are facing 'fire and rehire' policies and were presented with an ultimatum to agree to terms, and accordingly voted to strike:

GMB Strikers in Wickersley

"The strike ballot of GMB members returned an overwhelming 89% vote in favour of industrial action. Alongside the 4,500 service and repair gas engineers being called out on to strike will be 600 central heating installers, 540 electrical engineers, 170 specialist business gas engineers, and 1,700 smart metering engineers."(1)

Del echoed what had been reported recently in The Socialist, regarding the incompetence and arrogance of British Gas management.

He was eager for any help from the public, stressing the importance of sharing Social Media posts as widely as possible (especially using hashtags #stopthebritishgasfire #nowayoshea), showing public support for the striking workers in anyway and said that we would be welcome to join the pickets to show support and solidarity, "even if it's just for half an hour".

Members of Sheffield SP branch have managed to get to the pickets in Rotherham, where they first met Del, and the ongoing dispute with British gas continues to be followed in The Socialist.

(1) The Socialist 6/1/2021