Gas workers have threatened to go on strike over “chronic fatigue” in a move that risks major disruptions from possible leaks.
Hundreds of gas emergency workers in Yorkshire and Cumbria are to vote on walkouts after demanding shorter hours and better working conditions.
It is the latest in a fresh wave of potential strikes after Labour struck favourable pay deals with train drivers and NHS workers.
Union bosses said workers at Northern Gas Networks (NGN) had been left with “no choice” but to consider industrial action, which could start as soon as next month. It claimed the walkouts “could lead to huge disruptions across the North as gas leaks go unrepaired”.
Mark Horsley, NGN chief executive, said the company had “comprehensive contingency plans in place”.
He added: “Our priority, as always, is to continue to deliver a safe and reliable gas supply to our customers across the region.”
While union members still have to formally vote on industrial action in the coming weeks, the GMB union said a recent indicative ballot had suggested that 99.5pc supported strike action. The union claimed “chronic fatigue [was] sweeping across the workforce”.
It follows months of pressure from workers for better sick pay, a shorter working week and changes to overtime rates.
Andrew Aldwinkle, of GMB said: “These workers do a hard and dangerous job to maintain the safety of the public and to keep the heating on in our homes. Many work in extreme conditions and are exhausted from working long and excessive hours.
“Many workers have seen an erosion of their terms and conditions and it’s time to stop and start to make work better by levelling up.”
Leeds-based NGN is responsible for delivering gas to 2.7m homes and businesses across the North East, Northern Cumbia and a large part of Yorkshire. It owns around 37,000km of pipes. On its website, it says its engineers are out 365 days a year carrying out upgrades to the network and completing emergency repairs.
NGN made operating profits of £212.1m for the year to the end of March 2023, according to its most recent set of accounts. This was up from £152.6m the prior year.
The company is owned by a consortium that includes Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing’s CK Infrastructure. NGN paid £88.4m in dividends to shareholders in the 2023 financial year, down slightly from £91.7m a year earlier.
Mr Aldwinkle said: “NGN makes millions in profits every year with shareholders reaping massive financial payouts on the backs of working people – it’s time workers got a share of that profit – that would improve their time at work.
“The last thing GMB members want to do is go on strike, but sadly NGN has left them with no choice.”
Mr Horsley said: “Last year, we awarded a pay increase of 9pc in addition to a £1,000 cost of living payment and, during our recent negotiations with the GMB, we made an offer which would have improved terms and conditions and pay further.”
The GMB’s list of demands are understood to cost around £28m a year to implement, a figure NGN views as unaffordable.
Mr Horsley said: “We’re naturally disappointed to have got to this point, particularly as we’re recognised as an employer with market-leading pay and some of the best terms and conditions in the industry.
“As a regulated business we have an obligation to ensure our performance and our working practices meet strict requirements laid down by bodies such as Ofgem and the Health and Safety Executive, and we’re committed to working with colleagues to try and achieve these in a fair and equitable way.”
The company has recently been looking to expand into new areas. NGN was last year working towards a trial to replace home gas supplies with hydrogen in Redcar, on Teesside.
However, the project was scrapped after NGN said there was not enough local hydrogen production. Locals had also raised concerns about the more explosive nature of hydrogen. NGN had insisted the gas was safe.
