British Gas winter walkouts loom as workers back industrial action

Thousands of boiler repair staff could walk out from British Gas this winter after workers voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action. Members of the GMB union gave 95pc backing to industrial action after British Gas owner Centrica threatened to fire its entire 21,000-strong workforce unless they accepted new, less generous contracts. The support in a consultative ballot paves the way for a formal vote in coming months. It will raise the spectre of winter walkouts by swathes of the company'