British Gas employees are staging a protest on the roundabout by Waitrose in Basingstoke today. 

Six workers, all part of GMB union, are gathered near the Basing View store. 

They said the protest is part of a five-day strike that began on Thursday in a dispute over new contracts. 

The protesters said they chose an open space and are maintaining social distancing in an effort to raise support from the public. 

Martin Crumplin, who was part of the Basingstoke protest, said: “British Gas is trying to change our terms and conditions. They want us to work an extra 150 hours, reduction in holidays, no overtime pay, and lots of bits and pieces.

“Basically, we would be working for lots more hours for the same pay we are on at the moment.”

GMB has accused Centrica, owner British Gas, of provoking the national strike.

The group, however, maintains it is trying to protect jobs, stressing that basic pay and pensions are not being affected by the changes.

Centrica said it had done everything it could to avoid a strike, adding it would prioritise vulnerable households and emergencies during the walkout.

British Gas has been contacted for a comment.