BOSSES at communications giant BT were accused today of telling “a litany of lies” intended to undermine strike action this week by 40,000 workers resisting pay cuts.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said its members have reported managers telling apprentices that they are not allowed to strike, informing non-union workers that strike action by them would be illegal, and also saying to staff that they have to inform their managers if they will be striking. 

Workers have also reported managers planning to keep a “register of striking workers,” with threats of “offshoring” work from sites where the strike is strong.

The strike on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday will involve 30,000 engineers who maintain Britain’s digital networks and 9,000 call-centre workers.

It will be the biggest-ever strike by call centre workers.

The union says BT has imposed a £1,500-a-year pay increase — but that with RPI inflation hitting 11.8 per cent last month, the increase amounts to a dramatic real-terms pay cut.

“This is despite the company making £1.3 billion in annual profit, shareholder profit of £750 million, and Philip Jansen, the company’s chief executive officer, taking home a £3.5m pay package — a 32 per cent wage increase,” said the union.

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “They’re using Swiss banks while our members use foodbanks.”

Engineers and call centre workers voted respectively by 95.8 per cent and 91.5 per cent to strike.

Mr Ward said: “The union-busting techniques deployed against loyal key workers have been pathetic and desperate.

“BT has assured the media repeatedly that contingency plans are in place to undermine strikes but its panic shows otherwise.

“Our members don’t want to take strike action but neither are they going to accept the imposition of a real-terms pay cut while the company made £1.3bn in profit, shareholders gained £750m  and the CEO pocketed a 32 per cent pay rise.

“Some BT Group workers earn just £21,000 a year but they have self-respect and aren’t afraid to stick up for themselves.

“They are taking action against corporate hypocrisy, and no boss will crack their confidence any time soon.”

A BT Group spokesperson said: “While we’re disappointed that the CWU has decided to take industrial action, we respect the decision by their members to take industrial action. We are complying with all legal requirements throughout the industrial action process. 

“BT Group awarded a fully consolidated pay increase to its Team Member and frontline colleagues of £1,500. This represents a pay rise of around 5% on average and 8% for the lowest paid. This is the highest pay award BT Group has made in over 20 years.”