EDF Energy workers have taken part in a ballot for strike action over pay, according to Unite the union.

EDF Energy smart meter installers across London and southern England have took part in the ballot.

Unite said that the impact of industrial action on EDF's customers will be to slow down meter installation which allows for climate change reductions through reduced energy consumption.

The ballot of the 282 smart meter installers and those involved in debt collection in London, the south east and south west opened on Friday 1 October and closes on Friday 29 October.

Unite said the management's pay offer of 1.5 per cent, due from April this year, was "totally inadequate", given that the latest RPI rate of inflation has soared to 4.8 per cent.

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Unite regional officer Onay Kasab said: "Our members at EDF are among those who continued working with the public during the pandemic. Now the company wants to reward those same workers with what is effectively a pay cut - the 1.5 per cent on the table is totally inadequate given the rapidly rising inflation rate.

"The RPI inflation rate is currently 4.8 per cent,, but we believe that it is set to increase further by Christmas. The employers really do need to be more imaginative – each year we get the same old tired routine, but just with different excuses as to why workers should not get a decent pay rise. The bosses always sing the same song, but just change the lyrics annually.

"The impact of strike action will be to slow down meter installation which will hinder the climate change agenda. It will also hit EDF on the bottom line as monies owed by customers will not be collected as the debt collection teams will also be taking industrial action.

"Now is the time for the management of this highly profitable energy giant to enter into constructive talks before this dispute escalates into strike action."