Telecommunications workers in Carlisle have gone on strike today due to a pay dispute. 

Workers at BT went out to their headquarters on Willow Holme Road on Friday, July 29, as they protested against a below-inflation pay rise.

Industry experts have said that the strike action may cause disruption to people's internet and broadband service in the area.

The workers, who are part of the Communications Workers Union, will also be hosting another strike on Monday, August 1.

READ MORE: BT staff to go on strike today which could cause broadband disruption

Dave Bell, a telephone engineer on the Carlisle picket-line, said: "We're holding a two day strike over pay in what is the first strike for 35 years. 

"We're trying to get a decent pay offer off the company but they've been pretty intransigent and don't seem to be moving on their position but we'll see how it goes.

"Two of the men here were part of the last strike back in 1987 but for most of us it's the first time we've been on strike, unfortunately it's come to this. 

"The company gave us a pay rise without consulting it with the union which was £1,500 across the board - well below the rate of inflation.

"We just hope we can get the company back to the table and find a compromise that's suitable for both sides."

BT said it hopes to keep things running as smoothly as possible. The firm has also promised that it will work to reduce the impact of any industrial action by, for example, postponing any non-essential planned engineering or software updates.

READ MORE: BT sales jump for first time since 2017 after hiking customer prices

A BT Group spokesperson said: "At the start of this year, we were in exhaustive discussions with the CWU that lasted for two months, trying hard to reach an agreement on pay.

"When it became clear that we were not going to reach an accord, we took the decision to go ahead with awarding our team member and frontline colleagues the highest pay award in more than 20 years, effective April 1.

"We have confirmed to the CWU that we won’t be reopening the 2022 pay review, having already made the best award we could.

"We’re balancing the complex and competing demands of our stakeholders and that includes making once-in-a-generation investments to upgrade the country’s broadband and mobile networks, vital for the UK economy and for BT Group’s future – including our people."