BT strike ballot hit by technical problems

A STRIKE ballot among BT workers over a pay dispute has been cancelled following legal advice.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) had been due to reveal the result of the voting, raising the threat of the first industrial action at the telecoms giant since 1987.

But following legal advice, technical breaches arose that would potentially invalidate the ballot. The CWU added it had received an offer from BT to meet for further talks, which it will take up, while pressing ahead with necessary steps to allow a reballot to be held.

Deputy general-secretary Andy Kerr said: "We're bitterly disappointed that this ballot has had to be cancelled … and, of course, it doesn't help to resolve the outstanding issues over pay which we have with BT."

The union has been seeking a pay rise of 5 per cent. It has rejected a revised two-year offer worth 2 per cent this year and 3 per cent in 2011.