Plans by workers at BT (British Telecom) to strike in protest at massive bonuses awarded to the company’s managers and over a two per cent pay rise offer could affect broadband maintenance and troubleshooting services, according to industry observers.

Thousands of BT staff who are members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are to be asked to support walk-outs in protest at the bonus awards and a two per cent pay increase offer to its members. If the staff vote in favour of a strike, maintenance of millions of broadband lines could be hit.

“There are definitely going to be potential issues with maintenance. It’s (the strike) definitely going to affect day-to-day maintenance and problem resolution, Edd Dawson, editor of broadband information and comparison website broadband.co.uk, said.

“If it turns into a prolonged strike then it could very well affect the roll out of the next-generation broadband.”

The CWU represents nearly 60,000 BT staff.

A union official said: “This is about fairness. We don’t mind senior executives getting bonuses, but we want all staff to share in the success of the company. Striking is a last resort and not something to be taken lightly.”