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Big six supplier EDF is planning to use "local lockers" situated near smart meter installers rather than depots to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of the rollout.
EDF said it hopes to use local lockers as this will “reduce fuel costs and help to improve the efficiency of our operations, benefiting our customers.”
Unite, the country’s largest union, said EDF is planning to close Bangor Wharf depot in East London in favour of smart meter installers collecting the meters from lockers situated at supermarkets and petrol stations.
A spokesperson for EDF said: “We believe our current proposals are fair, competitive and consistent with the commitment to our customers to ensure that our costs are better controlled and more affordable.”
Unite said the move will “destroy the team working ethos.”
Unite members are also striking over a range of disputes over pay cuts, job losses and working extended hours to install the meters. The week-long strike from the 19 October follows a day-long strike in August.
EDF denied the union’s claims, saying “existing employees are not being asked to work hours outside of those stated in their contracts. We will also not be asking employees to work more hours per week than what is stated in their contracts.”
“We have been in continuous talks with Unite and other unions to agree the terms under discussion and we remain open, as always, to meeting employee representatives.”
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