LTB 342/2019 ISS Target Operating Model – Potential Redundancies – Housekeepers
No. 342/2019
Ref: SB/lm
Date: 07 June 2019
TO ALL BT BRANCHES WITH ISS MEMBERS
Dear Colleague
ISS Target Operating Model – Potential Redundancies – Housekeepers
Discussions have continued regarding the proposed redundancies to housekeepers who work for ISS on the BT contract.
A number of queries have been received regarding the numbers and sites in scope and as a result further clarification has been sought and I can confirm the following:
ISS PVR Model
ISS are initially offering VR to all those housekeepers on sites that are impacted, this will include the 76 sites (attached) and the mobile teams across the BT contract.
ISS have stated this will enable them to focus on the areas affected, including the mobiles, and once they have gone through that process if they are unable to place everyone than they will then look at areas to establish if anyone wants to take VR in other sites.
Please see headcount latest for each region:
Housekeeping North: Current 133 Proposed reduction 89 = 44
Supervisors North: Current 4 Proposed 12 = 8 vacancies
Housekeeping Midlands: Current 84 Proposed 48 = 36
Supervisors Midlands: Current 3 Proposed 4 = 1 vacancy
Housekeeping South: Current 125 Proposed 84 = 41
Supervisors: Current 6 Proposed 6 = no change
Mobile North: Current 48 Proposed 22 = 26
Mobile Midlands: Current 63 Proposed 35 = 28
Mobile South: Current 50 Proposed 33 = 17
This places 183 colleagues at risk (assuming the supervisor posts are filled with BT contract colleagues). It will be my intention to write out to the branches separately with more detail regarding the headcount proposals.
Application for VR is currently 114 with applications closing on Monday, 10 June, 2019.
Branches need to note that ISS have also placed a freeze on recruitment across the business (not just BT) so any ‘at risk’ colleagues may be offered suitable alternative in the first instance. ISS are also proactively engaging with their business on any possible future vacancies that will mitigate the proposed ‘at risk’ population even further.
Regional Consultation
As reported on the recent conference call the formal consultation will take place on a Regional Basis. Please see ISS Regional and CWU Leads below:
North ISS lead Frances Hughes
CWU lead Tracey Fussey
Midlands ISS lead Shaqeel Hussain
CWU Dave Tee
South ISS lead Samantha Roberts
CWU Sally Bridge
Consultation Period
Branches need to note that it is the intention of ISS to consult on an establishment basis which is in line with a change in the law following the European Court of Justice (ECJ) USDAW v Ethel Austin (commonly referred as the Woolworths case). The ECJ ruled that the requirement for collective consultation is triggered when the employer proposes 20 or more redundancies within 90 days at one establishment, not across the entire undertaking.
ISS are therefore taking the establishment on a site basis rather than across the sites within the BT estate.
However, branches should note that no one is formally at risk until the VR exercise is complete. As the consultation is ongoing this should leave sufficient time for meaningful consultation to take place on this matter. Any employees at risk will have a minimum of two individual consultation meetings at which they may have a CWU representative present.
Yours sincerely
Sally Bridge
National Officer
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