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Thursday 11th June - stories from conference

11th June 2009

- One compulsory redundancy and we'll ballot, CWU tells BT

The CWU's 'red line' position on compulsory redundancy was dramatically reaffirmed at the union's Telecoms Industry Conference in Bournemouth today.

Delegates unanimously voted to restate the union's long-standing position that even a single compulsory redundancy will be considered a declaration of war on the union by the company.

Urging support for the Croydon and South London motion, deputy general secretary (telecoms) Andy Kerr told of the importance of BT being left in no doubt whatsoever as to strength of feeling on the issue.

The debate came a day after the specific concerns of a compulsory redundancy situation arising in Openreach - where current projections suggest that up to 3,000 CWU-grade employees could soon be surplus to requirements - triggered impassioned debate.

Delegates resoundingly rejected a Telecoms Executive emergency motion suggesting that a draft deal on Openreach Service Delivery Transformation secured following months of intensive discussions under Project Holborn should be put to members with a recommendation for acceptance.

The deal on the table covered a wide range of issues, covering attendance patterns, a code of practice covering the rollout of GPS technology throughout the field workforce, the return of work currently conducted in India and a commitment by the company not to proceed with 'Project Beck' plans to outsource the building of the new 'Digital Britain' network .

But speaker after speaker told how local mandating meetings had revealed considerable opposition to the proposals from members, with a number suggesting the proposed deal represented a "race to the bottom".

Responding to debate, assistant secretary Ian Cuthbert vehemently rejected suggestions that the CWU had somehow 'rolled over' and accepted a BT 'shopping list' designed simply to help the company increase its profits.

Instead, Ian told conference, it was "about stopping BT going down the same route as competitors and declaring compulsory redundancies," but he admitted "we face a difficult dialogue with our members."

Following delegates' decision to back an emergency motion tabled by Scotland No 1 branch which calls for opposition to company attempts to impose any strand of the package to be met with a campaign for industrial, Ian Cuthbert told the Voice that a "period of reflection" is now necessary.

"There have already been some informal discussions with the company directly after the debate in which we've asked them to reconsider their proposals - and seeking a clear confirmation that they will honour the commitments given on Project Beck and no compulsory redundancies," said Ian.

"I've now written to them, formally making those demands - and on Monday a 'Letter to Branches' will be issued updating branches on the situation as it presently stands.

"It is hoped that a response will have been received from the company in time for consideration at the next Telecoms Executive meeting which will take place this coming Wednesday."

Counters, 11th June 2009

Lesley Mclean opened Clerical and Cash Handling conference by saying "It's been a difficult year for our members. Work has been lost in cash services and the downturn is affecting all operations.

"In hindsight, it's a good job we got a three year pay deal for CCH members, but this is not the same in the rest of Royal Mail where people are facing a pay freeze."

Chris Roach made a strong case for Motion 102 relating to new queuing systems in post offices. The new systems introduce an Argos-style queue system where customers collect a ticket and continue browsing while waiting for their number to be called. While in some ways this could improve sales and customer experience, this form of queuing increases waiting times by around 5 per cent. "Longer waiting times and busy looking offices mean people may walk out and lead to more complaints" argued Chris. He also raised concern that data could be used as a form of electronic surveillance. The motion was supported by three other branches and passed, mandating the PEC to seek an agreement with POL over the uses of the system and to also seek a customer survey.

Motions 104 and 105 fell as conference believed national agreements already cover the substantial issues presented. While recognising issues of counter cover and sales meetings, many speakers argued that representatives need to use the national agreements that are already in place to resolve these issues.