BT workers in the CWU are being urged to “have your say” on an inflation-busting pay deal.
UPDATE -19th march 2026 – BT Pay Consultative Ballot Result.
BT members narrowly voted to accept the 2026 pay offer.
The result is as follows:
- Accepting the pay offer: 57% of valid votes
- Rejecting the pay offer: 43% of valid votes
61% of those who were balloted voted.
The CWU has confirmed to BT that our members have voted to accept the offer in a consultative ballot.
BT has confirmed that the pay increase will be applied to salaries in April 2026.
The date for the next annual pay review will be 1 April 2027.
Union members at BT are to be sent a consultative ballot on whether to accept or reject a pay offer for the coming financial year.
The offer, which was reached after an intense bout of recent negotiations, is against the backdrop of a fall in the rate of inflation, with CPI inflation being reduced to 3% in January, and being forecast to drop over the coming months.
The ballot will open Thursday 5th March and will close on Wednesday 18th March.
If ratified by the membership, the deal will offer an above-inflation rise in pay for all CWU-represented grades.
It will also ensure that the lowest-paid members of the union remain above the national minimum wage.
Team members on or below £30,000 (full-time equivalent) will receive a 4.1% pay rise, consolidated and pensionable from 1 April 2026.
All other workers will receive a 3% pay increase, also consolidated and pensionable.
Allowances on shift working, on call, foreign languages, supervisory (cover/short and long-term), Outside Broadcast and Terrestrial Earth Station will be increased by 1.5% this year, and allowances linked to hourly rates of pay will increase by the salary-related rise set out above.
CWU Deputy General Secretary Karen Rose said: “The union made robust arguments to BT to achieve this offer and believe it is the best possible increase – our strong recommendation is that you vote yes.
“It is important that you cast your vote so that you have your say.”
Members are being urged to look out for an email to their work e-mail address from Popularis, which will contain a secure link to vote.
If you can’t see the message in your inbox, please check your junk and spam folders.