Hundreds of Eon meter fixers to strike over proposed working hours

Nearly 400 Eon meter fixers across England and Wales will go on a three-day strike from tomorrow (10 June), in a dispute over a proposed increase in working hours.

Members of Unite – the largest union in the country – along with GMB and Unison, are taking strike action against proposals by Eon for staff to work half-an-hour extra on three nights of the week, as part of a two per cent proposed pay deal for 2015.

Unite said its members will be responding to emergencies that threaten the elderly and vulnerable, as homes and businesses could find that gas and electricity supplies are cut off if faulty meters are not replaced.

Unite regional officer Micky Tuff said: “Our members view this demand for an extra 30 minutes of work three nights-a-week as the thin end of the wedge – before you know it the bosses will be demanding an extra hour five days-a-week.

“Eon can resolve this dispute very swiftly by saying it will abandon the plans for the extra 30 minutes, three days-a-week.”

The strike could prove costly for the large supplier, which will have to pay compensation of around £40 for each customer who has their appointment with a meter fixer cancelled or postponed, according to Unite.

An Eon spokesman said: “It is regretful that following careful and lengthy negotiations, trade union members in our meter operations business have rejected the offer which was fully recommended by the trade union negotiating team for acceptance.

“Our flexible end of day proposals, which are aimed at improving customer service, are fair and balanced and include an increase to pay and close controls and monitoring around the frequency worked.

“We have plans in place to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum and continue to be willing to talk and find a resolution to the situation.”

The Unite workforce voted by 66 per cent to 33 per cent for strike action, and meter fixers will be striking from 10 June until 13 June.