he GMB union said its members backed industrialaction by almost 9 to 1.                                                                                    
                                Officials will meet in the coming days to consider strike dates, threatening action by British Gas engineers over the festive season.                                                                    
                                
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                                GMB national officer Justin Bowden said: “The ultimatum from British Gas to its workforce to accept these cuts before Christmas or get the sack has now made strike action unavoidable.                                                                    
                                “Our members had already voted in huge numbers to reject the company’s draconian cuts to terms and conditions.                                                                    
                                “GMB shop stewards and officials will meet to consider and assess the ballot result and the nature of the industrialaction and the dates for action – initially across January.                                                                                    
                                “They will also consider what emergency cover is required, including for the elderly and vulnerable households.�                                                                    
                                Mr Bowden said British Gas and parent company Centrica were “entirely to blame� for any disruption by “provoking� workers into strike action with threats and deadlines to either accept substantial cuts in pay and conditions or be sacked.