HCL (Northern Ireland)
HISTORY
HCL Northern Ireland is a former BT Telemarketing Centre which was
sold to HCL in December 2001. BT retained a 10% share. It initially
operated out of Apollo Road in Belfast. The Company opened a second
site in Armagh. The CWU has members in both Centres.
The Executive endeavors to maintain first-class conditions of employment, and has succeeded in the continuation of Newgrid to a company outside BT.
In 2003, the CWU negotiated the implementation of Terms and Conditions directly for new HCL grades. The CWU welcomed the Company's commitment to move from 100% reliance on agency people to carry out sales functions, to an initial 70:30% split, to an eventual 100% permanent contracted staff.
In 2004 and 2005, the CWU negotiated consolidated pay increases which were in line with other pay settlements in the Telecoms sector for NewGRID members, HCL new contracted members, and Manpower Agency members on site. In December 2004, BT sold its 10% share of the Company to HCL.
In January 2005, HCL sent a letter to the CWU giving notice of its intention to withdraw from the Partnership Agreement with the CWU, citing that as a Company that operated 'best practice', they did not see the need for a Union for Team members (though keeping recognition for the Manager's Union, CONNECT). Throughout 2005 and until June 2006, the Union was in negotiations with the Company in an attempt to restore recognition
In 2005, agreement was concluded on the harmonisation of terms and conditions for Manpower and HCL.
In 2006, HCL and Manpower parted Company; Manpower people were Tuped into HCL.
Current
The CWU opened its HCL Office in August 2006. This is situated
directly across the road from the Belfast Call Centre. A continuous
recruitment campaign has resulted in an increase in membership
numbers and Union Representatives.
HCL's decision to derecognise the CWU was condemned by Political Parties in Northern Ireland - see Peter Hain's leaflet and Sinn Fein's web page.
Sinn Féin call for clarification over situation at HCL
Published: 17 August, 2006
Sinn Féin Employment and Education Spokesperson Michael Ferguson MLA has called on management at HCL to make a statement on its future intentions after talking with Trade Union representatives from the CWU.
Mr Ferguson said:
"Indian operator HCL took over operations from BT in Belfast a number of years ago. This was support by significant money from Invest NI along with a commitment to deliver at staffing level of 1200.
"In discussions with CWU representatives, it is now clear that there is a great deal of uncertainty. It is also clear that HCL has fallen well short of the promised employment levels, despite significant public money.
"I am very concerned at reports that HCL are also trying to undermine the rights of workers at the site, particularly in relation to the right to organise and effective Trade Union representation.
"There is a responsibility of HCL to bring forward a statement on their future intentions. I will also be seeking meetings with Invest NI to ensure that public money has been appropriately spent in this case."
SATISFACTION SURVEY
Whilst HCL stated that they operated 'best practice', and
wanted people to 'earn money' and have 'fun at
work', comments we were getting from our HCL Members indicated
something different. In October 2006, we carried out our own
Satisfaction Survey. The interim results will be published
soon.
NUMBERS OF AGENCY PEOPLE ON SITE
Despite earlier assurances, HCL now employ 200
agency people on site from several agency suppliers.
ATTRITION
Attrition levels are very high with nearly 50% of people being on
site for less than 12 months.
Pay Levels and Hours of Attendance
HCL starting pay in Belfast is 18p above the minimum wage and only
8p above the minimum wage in Armagh. They operate a 40 hour week,
as opposed to the median in Northern Ireland which is 36. Their
hourly start rate is £5.33 an hour, as opposed to the Northern
Ireland average of £7.20 an hour.
Changes to Annual Leave Year
In late 2006 HCL decided to change the annual leave operative date
* Link to Annual Leave letter
* Link to Letter to Members regarding Annual Leave
* Link to Newsletters One, Two, Three, Four
Contact:
Glynis Winestein
gwinestein@cwu.org
Personal Assistant
Marcia Lewis
mlewis@cwu.org
Telephone: 0208 971 7248
